Here, I am;
Sitting in a seat by the window in the middle
Of this train: Minding my own business.
Here, he comes;
Stepping onto my train. Ladies,
you know the guy I'm speaking of:
the guy with an "I'm blank-dude and
I just want get to know you" expression
upon his face.
I look at the seat next to me, glad
That my bag's resting in its' space.
He walks over smiling, then says,
"Can I sit here?" I stare at him while I
Choose my words wisely, because he just pasted
Like four empty seats but wants to sit my me.
Before I could answer, the train pulls off,
And he sits in the seat in front of me and mumbles
That's alright; so I take this opportunity
To continue looking out the window: sad, thing is:
I'm under the tunnel so black walls and occasional Light Is all I see.
Then, he speaks:
I'm really not up for converstion so I
Ignore him. But, he is persistent
And turns around speaking louder, "Hey pretty lady."
I look up, smile, and say, "Thank you."
He says, "So, how you doing?"
I say, "Fine."
He says, "So where you headed?"
"North." I thought he would get the hint from my
Short replies and lack of eye contact.
He says, "You're pretty."
I say "Thanks."
He says, "So, where yo lil boyfriend at?"
I say, "He's waiting for me."
"Where?"
I throw him a look that said "You're being nosy
And I'd like it if you stop talking because I really don't want to be bothered."
He turns around to face forward again.
I realize we're only at the Chicago stop, and I
Still have several more stops until I'm off this train
with this guy.
By the time we get to the Clark and Division stop,
He has asked me my: age, phone number, boy-friend's Name, address, name of my school, and mother's Name; all of which answers I told him I didn't know
Or weren't allowed to give out.
I'm thinking in my head, this dude hasn't attempted
To get off, but I hear the train operator announce,
"Addison," my thoughts, about this no-name-dude asking random questions like I'm under investigation,
Leave my head.
I get up to get off
And leave Mr. no name on the train.
I skip down the stairs happy that I'm free, but
Something tells me to turn around, and there he is
With a smile up on his face.
I began to pray to God for protection;
this guy has followed me from 63rd until Berwyn.
I need this guy to leave me alone. By the time,
I make it to the bottom of the stairs,
I'm relieved as I notice the police.
I say, "Hello officers,"
As I thank God for being right on time.
********This is a poem I had to write so I can speak
out against harrassment on public transportation for an event my friend's job was hosting.
