Bus Stop on 65th Street

I sat on the bench

at the bus stop

under the awning

beside the recycling bin.

I sat on the bench

at the bus stop

by the boy

beneath the red umbrella.

I sat on the bench

at the bus stop

atop the hope

along the wishes

that he would turn around.

I sat on the bench

at the bus stop

and he had on a black coat

and he had on a white shirt

and these things

(in combination with the umbrella)

reminded me of a joke about penguins

and sunburns

and I wondered if he carried the umbrella in the sun as well as the rain

(as I have seen some people do)

which would be metaphorically pleasing

(though not aesthetically).

I sat on the bench

at the bus stop

and tried to look casually over

as I pulled my hood up

to walk through the rain

to the bus

that he didn't take to his destination.