Thousands and thousands of people commute by train <br />In Japan everyday <br />In the morning rush hour <br />Expert 'pushers' at most busy stations <br />Hurriedly pushed the big crowd of passengers into the train <br />before the automatic doors could <br />shut on time for the journey <br />And only lucky passengers could get seats for themselves <br />Pity only standing room for the slower passengers. <br /> <br />One fine Wednesday, on my way to study Bible <br />in a far away church from my home <br />I, a simple devoted old lady <br />With snow-white hair <br />Patiently stood for nearly two hours <br />behind a man facing the window-side of this train <br />Lo and behold <br />suddenly the speedy train <br />Lurched and lurched! What's happening? <br />Poor me, being short couldn't clutch <br />the strap properly for safety <br />Accidently I knocked onto the shoulder of this man! <br />Oh no! <br />So shocked was I to find my lipstick mark on <br />his white, starched shirt! <br /> <br />Terribly embarrassed, I apologized <br />'Gomennasai Gomennasai-Sorry, Sorry' <br />He turned back to look at me, then said <br />'Daijobu, Daijobu', meaning 'its okay, its okay' <br />Oh dear, no way for me to wipe off <br />the lipstick mark <br />Worried I wondered how <br />he would react when teased by his friends at work <br />Panicked I wondered how <br />he would answer when or if <br />His wife were to demand an explanation! <br />Pity him indeed, <br />He being innocent <br /> <br />Dear God, I fervently prayed <br />She would Not be Suspicious <br />Or accuse him of being <br />Unfaithful! <br />Oh, no <br /> <br />That embarrassing experience <br />Taught me to be careful <br />When riding a crowded train <br />in the morning rush hour <br />Especially when thousands and thousands of people <br />fight their way to get a seat for themselves <br /> <br />Yes, oh yes, an old lady like me <br />Ought to cling to the strap <br />Yes, oh yes, got to be wiser to be <br />early at the station <br />No more embarrassment <br />When I can find a seat <br />in the train next trip.<br /><br />Toshie Nohara<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-embarrassing-experience-in-the-train/
