night bus

Last bus hums like a fridge,

windows warm with strangers' sleep.

Your text came in at the red light:

"home safe?" Almost. Almost.

The city does its slow blink.

Somebody's grocery bag sighs.

Night bus, take the long way.

I'm in no state to be anywhere fast.

Every stop is somebody's whole life.

Mine's the fourth from the last.

Night bus, keep it steady.

Let the streetlights do their sweep.

I'll be home before the song ends.

Don't end. Don't end.

There's a man asleep on his shopping,

there's a girl rehearsing a speech.

The driver knows us by our corners.

Nobody's ever introduced.

We just ride. It's enough.

Some nights it's plenty.

Night bus, take the long way.

I'm in no state to be anywhere fast.

Every stop is somebody's whole life.

Mine's the fourth from the last.

Night bus, keep it steady.

Let the streetlights do their sweep.

I'll be home before the song ends.

Don't end. Don't end.

Fourth from the last.

Third. Second.

Mine.