"...doors open on the right at Quincy..."

I'd like to join the culture of 'el' travelers;
workers downtown;
coffee/tea drinking from
white, recycled cups I picked up
at the Starbucks or Caribou Coffee at my stop,
which ever has the shortest line;
the flexible, the stand up
to let others sit down,
the observer
of scenes and passengers'
reading or blank stares or cat naps;
watch the students
at draft tables preparing for lessons
at Robert Morris;
counting the stops
between my start
and end at Wells;
ignore the screeching of the fast conductor;
enjoy being swallowed up
on both sides
at the Madison & Wells stop;
a stark breeze, hands tucked under thigh,
cramping my hands as we wait
for transfers at Howard;
and reveling in the Sears Tower
as I sip slowly.