Interlude on Bus ... 2 AM

I am so bored
that I have smoked 16
unfiltered camels
in the last 3 hours. 

I stare at the scenery.
The scenery is the most intensely
boring
thing I have ever seen.

There is a small strip of grass median
bordering the asphalt.
There is a guard rail made of steel
with yellow and black striped signs on top. 
The signs' yellow lights blink on and off.

I engross myself in the mounded dirt clods
and flapping bits of surveyor's tape.

There is a clunking noise, from far away.

Slowly I turn - there is something happening
in the World of Bus!

The lady across the aisle cannot get the bathroom door
to stay shut.
Slam. Slam. Slam.

She fumbles with the latch and mewls unintelligable syllables
at the door.
I smile.
Slammmmmm. Slam.
She stands in front of the door, staring helplessly into the dark
bathroom.
I chuckle out loud.
She stands there for a long time.
She shuts the door. The door stays shut.
The fellow next to me doesn't wake up.
I smile out at the scenery.

1988