Cosmetology Student

I was on my way downtown a few weeks ago, 

when I was joined on the bus by a woman who was 

on her way home from her cosmetology classes 

a block or so from the bus stop.

Under her arm, she carried a mannequin

head on which she practices all the

techniques she's learning at school. 

The heads are de rigueur for all students,

but this is the first one I'd seen

that is male. I've always been a bit startled by

the heads. Some are carried in totes,

others in backpacks, but this one was

being carried under the young woman's arm.

one half of his head shorn,

the other with his black hair

 flitting in the breeze. 

Portrait of the Bus Driver: Probably About the Fourth

On this mid-August morning, at about a quarter of seven, 

the sky was full of a pink and lavender sunrise.

As the bus headed east along Tenth Street,

I loved the sight of the lights against 
the morning's curtain of clouds. 

Summer is going away, but the sunrise 

it brought was a joy. 

Portrait of the Bus Driver

On my way to work yesterday morning, 

while our bus was stopped in traffic, I happened to notice 

the bus driver's face reflected in her rear view mirror.

So here it is, an on the job portrait of the bus

driver in her milieu, driving a bus full

of people to their jobs.