Reasons to ride the bus to work #27

by Kimberly on April 27, 2006

in Musings, Seattle

This morning, I walked almost all the way to the back of the bus to find an empty seat. Settling into a spot on a bench seat running parallel to the length of the bus, I glanced up at the placards on the far wall, and read this:

Four Secrets

I was born with a tiny extra bone
camping quietly close to my clavicle.
The taste of envelopes reminds me
of communion. I carry my gandmother’s name,
Jane, tucked safely between my first and last.
I have no tattoos; thus far,
I have nothing permanent to say.

- Erin Jane Miller

Poetry on Buses; what a wonderful idea! This is what can happen when a community makes a commitment to public art, as King County has with the Percent for Art Fund, which funds this and other local public art programs.

I imagine that some of my glum-faced fellow commuters may have wondered – if they even noticed – why a smile crossed my face, and lingered as I reached into my purse for my book.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

1 srp April 27, 2006 at 1:53 pm

Did you reach in for your book to make a note of the poetry, or to compose some of your own? That is great.

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2 terrilynn April 28, 2006 at 4:51 am

Oh, I love that. What an unexpected treat.

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3 Janeen April 28, 2006 at 6:46 pm

I love poetry on the buses, too. That is an especially fine one.

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4 Tania April 28, 2006 at 7:51 pm

How wonderful! I happy to say that public transit here in Toronto is taking the same initiative. Just today I read one written in the 1st century B.C. by Catullus. A poem by an ancient Roman poet on a streetcar in Toronto in the 21st century?! Oh, if only he knew!

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5 Anne April 29, 2006 at 1:33 pm

What a delight!

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6 michelle April 29, 2006 at 10:40 pm

I tried to submit some but I was told they are not doing it this year.

It would be so cool to look up and see my words. :)

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