---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN#/ ISBN# issue/book “The Garden of Eden” cc&d, v308 (the April 2021 issue) Order the 6"x9" paperback book:

Order this writing in the book What Lies on the Other Side the cc&d Jan.-April 2021 magazine issues collection book		get the 424 page Jan.-April 2021 cc&d magazine 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Order this writing in the book Regarding Utopia the 2021 poetry, flash fiction, prose, & art collection anthology		get the 396 page poetry, flash fiction, prose, & artwork & photography collection anthology as a 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Blue Rider

Greg G. Zaino

Agitated
standing within
a dull morning fog,
another sick morning dawns.

The suppressed glow
of blue rider’s cigarette smolders
in shadow’s mist.

Tired lungs labor behind
his old bone cage
drawing smoke
releasing death.

Newport’s lazy moon
long departed.
A buoy’s warning.

Rider’s impatience
in watch checking,
smokes down the years
of that old acquaintance.
His minutes flick away
to the nub of a
damp brown filter.

He curses the day of birth
lights another
exhales a concentration
of lighter fluid & tobacco
stares at the memory
clicking shut
the dented silver case
of his worn Zippo.

Air brakes scream to
a gaseous halt.
The Blue Line carriage
sits & awaits his pleasure.

The open invite,
a friendly smile,
impatience stands fidgeting,
flicks away his
half smoked cigarette,
climbs aboard
cursing under breath,
an anonymous god.

The hinged door folds shut.
His carriage’s diesel engine
sneezes a cloud of exhaust.

Left behind, it floats
like something undone,
an oily balloon.

Blue rider’s stenciled
White and blue coach
pulls away from
Farewell Street’s still silence.

Its trusting fares,
eleven captive souls,
seated, tending to each
his or her own’s, singular task
of reading, boredom & sleep.

At departed light pole’s base
blue rider’s abandoned cigarette’s stub
breathes its tired last.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...