Northbound Train
a rainy Monday
she runs later
than the train
there’s no time
yet she stops
for some breakfast
she gets to work
at 9 am sharp
only an hour late
My Turn
Not long ago, Covid found me
I suppose nobody can outrun it
forever
since there’s no place on the planet
to hide
I thought Covid would ignore me
skip over me
Seems I guessed wrong
It was my time to rest
and recuperate, to reflect
and not dream about work
Alone
his dreams dried up long ago
the reality of hard-knocks winning
his soul
shivering
his prayers
unanswered
his goals
unachievable
day after day
he sits under a tarp
or in a ripped tent
hungry
isolated
tired
unprotected
fearful
depressed
almost invisible to the world
every day feels the same
no more weekends
no more birthdays
no more laughter
no more hot meals
no more family connections
his backpack stolen:
there is no change of clothes
there is no warm blanket
there is no reason for hope
his only shoes
stained and unlaced
came from a dumpster
when did he last shower?
he can’t recall
when did his bike break down?
he can’t remember
when did he last get hugged?
he can’t recall
when did anybody speak to him?
he can’t remember
who in the city
even knows his name
and who cares about him?
Roberta Beach Jacobson is a free spirit who is drawn to the magic of words – poetry, song lyrics, flash fiction, puzzles, stand-up comedy. Her latest book is Demitasse Fiction: One-Minute Reads for Busy People (Alien Buddha Press, 2023). She is the fleakeeper at Five Fleas Itchy Poetry. Roberta lives in Indianola, Iowa with her husband and three cats.
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