Girl on a Bus

For my dear sister  Dorothy -

Girl on a Bus

A few people

all together on a bus,

each alone.

I sit by a window

on the first of the seats

facing forward.

A girl gets on,

sits in front of me,

facing the aisle,

so I see her profile.

Pretty, in her

early twenties.

She turns to me,

“I’m going to

a job interview.”

She’s a little nervous.

“What do you think

of how I’m dressed?”

Having permission,

I lean back,

and look her over

from head to toe.

I sit up and tell her

she looks fine,

but that  there is

one more thing

she must wear.

“What?”

I lean forward,

“A smile.”

She smiles.

“Yes, just like that.

Don’t forget.”

If only I could be there

to remind her.

© Richard Gilbert 2012