CTA

My life is governed by the train
The routine of the populus

My life is governed by numbers
7:14
4:39
The train's timetable

As I descend into the tunnel
and climb into my train
I feel a surge of happiness

I am in the company of strangers
Who share my life

Together we enter
Together we exit

And we are each of us a part of something big
and strong
and forceful
and alive

In these moments of secure anonymity
I can look around me
holding my bag
holding my book
with ticket in hand
and gripping the rail
and I can smile with sweet confidence
that I own what I hold