Bus Stop

Solitary
she waits at the crossroads
her daily pre-dawn torture
the minutes crawl by
the automobiles too
each one a potential nightmare
each driver a possible harbinger from hell

her eyes watch, wary
her legs tremble, tense
ready at moment’s notice
to speed her homeward
propel her towards safety
the bright light in the windows
the warmth of her mother’s embrace

her heart chokes down the chill
she swallows down the rising bitterness
and steels herself
any minute now
the sun will roll around the corner
salvation will open its doors
and she will dart into its womb
dodge darkness one more day