MBTA Commuter Rail

Green blurs of trees.

Classic triple-decker home,

Massachusetts town.

Industry along the train tracks.

American flag painted on a brick wall (faded).

Beer cans, ripped tarps, McDonald's boxes.

A sign reads, "Boston Renaissance."

Another purple-striped train passes,

much faster than us.

European accents, crowded around the table,

wide-awake, 7:00 a.m.

Yankees hat ready to pick a fight,

the wearer, sound asleep.

Headphones turned up too loud, metallic.

Algae, lily pads, soft rippling pond, dead trees.

Serenity out of nowhere.

Yellow line,

step back.