Percy Janes Boarding the Bus
a poem by Agnes Walsh
I was going to the Mall for a kettle
waiting on the number five,
when the number something-or-other
pulled up.
I was looking past it for mine,
when I saw him, an arm raised,
running softly.
I jumped to life, beat on the bus door,
siad to the driver: "Mr. Janes.
Mr. Percy Janes wants to get on."
He raised a "So what?" eyebrow.
Mr. Janes straightened his astrakhan hat,
mumbled thank you and stepped up.
As the bus rumbled on
I continued under my breath:
"Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Percy Janes,
Newfoundland writer, poet,
just boarded the number something-or-other."
If this was Portugal,
a plaque would be placed
over the seat where he sat.
As it is, you have me
mumbling in the street
like a tourist in my own country.
This poem appears in the audiobook poetry collection produced by Rattling Books entitled In the Old Country of My Heart by Agnes Walsh. Available online as a digital download and 30% off during April, National Poetry Month. Also available as a hard copy CD from Fred's Records, St. John's Newfoundland.
