joshporter.org

The MTA

September 9th, 2007

Here’s a poem I wrote last spring while waiting for the bus.

Where I grew up in Jersey was a really different place
With lots of winding country roads and lots of open space.
I think that rural Hunterdon did have a public bus,
But no one I knew took it; it was just too big a fuss.

But living in the city here, it seemed to be sufficient
To take the city bus around and try to be efficient.
Driving creates greenhouse gas and generates pollution,
So public transportation is an earth-friendly solution.

In Baltimore the city bus is called the MTA.
And there are many reasons why this is a better way.
At certain times of day the bus will save you lots of stress
From driving through the city when the traffic is a mess.

Where I grew up, diversity is something that we lack.
I could count upon my fingers everyone I know who’s black.
But on the bus I see things in a very different light –
I can count upon my fingers everybody there who’s white.

In my quest to be efficient, I forgot one crucial fact:
When you really need to get there, seems the buses all are packed.
The other morning two of them were full and drove right by.
They left me on the sidewalk and I stood there asking, “Why?”

If you’ve got a lot of time to kill, the buses here are great,
But I only recommend them if you don’t mind being late.
They’re scheduled to come every ten minutes in the morning,
But if you think that happens, heed the foll’wing word of warning:

I walk out to the bus stop, and I measure out my fare,
and I wait ’bout twenty minutes, but the bus still isn’t there.
I panic, run, and get my car, but when I start to drive,
I look out to the street and see the stupid bus arrive.

Maybe there are special tricks to try and work the system,
But as for what they are, so far it seems like I have missed ‘em.
Someday I’ll move to nearby work and give up the frustration
Of depending every day on flaky public transportation.

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