Commute by Larissa Synder

I’m trapped in a giant, metal cage.
It is 06:26 in the morning.
There are few people surrounding me in this cage
They look brain-dead. Zombie-like.
These people
Resemble
A soldier in a trench going through shell shock.
I wonder if I look like that.
We are free to come and go
From this
Giant, metal cage.
But I am trapped.
06:34.
This cage makes a demon-like screech
06:35, a man who appears to be homeless
Takes a seat next to me in this giant, metal cage.
The stench.
All at once, these brain-dead zombies surrounding me
Suddenly show a mutual backlash of hate and disgust.
That’s when I realize,
No.
I don’t look like that.
I don’t look brain-dead or zombie-like.
I daydream to forget this cage I’m in
And to forget about the heartless zombies
Surrounding me
I daydream about
The homeless man sitting next to me
Where is his family?
What’s his favorite color?
When was his last meal?
06:40
06:40 at last.
I can now climb out of this
Giant, metal cage and
Stretch my wings
Until tomorrow.