Paul Aitchison - Mind The Gap

the carriage
sits heavy at platform lines
two minutes early
rushed deadline faces
march in black trouser suits
leaving offices empty

they board together
minding the gap
sucked into this carriage vacuum
as shuffling raced paces force the doors
first come first served seat selection
leaving those left panting to stand

fume heavy breaths fill the space
as the doors slide and fuse shut
the engine hums and hisses
leaving the passing station viewed
behind evening edition news

the air is stale with coughs and sighs
awkward glances followed by
small advances for the paper
which rises dividing eyes

they sit confined in domino rows
waiting for the first to fall
decision makers and no.1 fakers
folding dreams neatly away to make room
for mortgages and schools

the carriage reels off destinations
counting down the track
leaking commuters at each station stop
squeezing me the last drop
as I make my leave from this repetitive drone
minding the gap
between work and home