Image: a railway platform with the words MIND THE GAP painted for the
benefit of those alighting from the train, so that the letters are upside-down
from the perspective of those waiting to board the train.
Now is the season for journeys home by train
(it has been too long)
‘Tickets, please.’
I lean and push hand deep in pocket,
pull out my phone, as if
I were magician, pulling flowers and
rabbits from a hat: ta-da!
Once, I would purchase paper tickets
from a booth, another human, behind glass,
as in a zoo; now,
only digital traces track me as I flee
from screen to window seat to screen,
and ‘Tickets, please.’
and I glance off each other,
sleight of hand.
Passengers a-lighting,
please mind the gap
between the polished surface
and our common substance.
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