For Craig Czury

i wrote a poem on my monthly rail pass
and gave it to the conductor on the 7:10 morning train
he always bobs his head to the rocking when he walks down the aisle
and sings out "jenkintown!" and "neshaminny falls!" like an opera singer
i thought he'd understand
instead he says
"no free verse on peak hour trains."
the other commuters turn their puffed pastry faces my way and shake their heads
for the first time i notice how they all look like failed novelists
think faulkner or fitzgerald at their worst
the conductor hooks his thumbs on his pants pockets
"that's an extra 2.50" he says