The Underground is a kaleidoscope: <br />at each station, a new shake; and <br /> <br />according to your mood <br />every shake’s a magnification <br /> <br />of your love of humanity; or <br />confirms your worst fears; <br /> <br />shake <br /> <br />I’m sitting with the article <br />I wrote at home, hunched <br />over the keyboard <br />in a smaller world <br /> <br />now I’m revising it in private <br />but in this public space <br />of this kaleidoscope; it’s good this way. <br /> <br />shake <br /> <br />A lad sits down next to me. After a minute <br />I feel he’s discreetly reading what I’m editing. <br /> <br />I love this game. I tilt the paper imperceptibly <br />so he can read it better.. <br />careful not to give the game away.. <br /> <br />shake <br /> <br />He’s interested; he’s not reading idly; now <br />he’s not hiding his reading any more; <br /> <br />now, he can’t restrain himself at <br />the top of the page as I turn over.. <br /> <br />his eyes shine. He stubs his finger at a quote <br />‘Meditation makes me feel more myself…’ <br /> <br />‘That’s it! That’s it! ’ he says; as if <br />I didn’t believe my own quote.. <br /> <br />shake <br /> <br />He’s out the next station; that’s <br />all he needed. All I needed. All it needed. <br /> <br />How bright the underground kaleidoscope <br />shines now.<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/journey-in-an-undergound-kaleidoscope/
