Maybe it was the school bus
The long minutes spent
waiting for that new driver
to pull out into the intersection
Knowing that across town,
another town
I should be getting my own kids
off another school bus
Maybe it was
my scattered thoughts
how I kept thinking
about what I should have said
To the friend
in the house
in the neighborhood
back there
A woman who was dying
but had answered the door
with a smile
on her face
Maybe after that
I needed to talk
to the nice young officer
with his laser gun
to feel alive
Whatever the reason
this ticket is for you
my friend
As if I could pay
your way
As if you ever
had a debt
to be cleared.
- LINDA SANDS