in transit
i have spent a lot of time in places that exist only to be left. platforms, waiting rooms, the seat by the window. nobody stays in these places on purpose. that's what i like about them.
japan — the platform

the board changes every few minutes. i haven't. i think i'm still deciding.
france — the window seat

someone left before me. the tray was still folded down. i didn't touch it.
india — the waiting room

the bag was still there when i sat down. i didn't ask who it belonged to.
the uk — the underpass

the light was at the other end. i was already walking toward it before i decided to.
the usa — the departure board

i looked up and none of the names meant anything to me yet. that felt like an option, not a problem.
germany — the platform at dusk

its light found me before i found it. i stayed exactly where i was.