As one who rides the bus to work each day,
I’m quite familiar with that type of rider
Whose seat-bound bag is often in my way,
And whose splayed knees expand his quarter wider.

I’m hardly shy- I meet his eyes and smile.
He acts surprised to find I wish to sit,
Oblivious to the crowd packed in the aisle
Until I prompted him to notice it.

To walk like royalty, said Charlize Theron,
You gird your loins and rotate back the shoulders,
Extend your neck as graceful as a heron,
Envision MURDER- your face will seem bolder.

I did and fixed my eye on one young man.
He said “Excuse me” just before he ran.