Author Information
"On the Bus Together"
by Jeph Johnson
She was sprawled across the front seats where disabled citizens are told to sit when I started writing this poem on my phone.
Next to her stood a 36 by 48 canvas while three more smaller ones were leaning next to it in a brown paper grocery bag.
They were all propped upright where the wheelchairs are supposed to be strapped in.
All were fully realized paintings.
She wore ragged jeans and a Taking Back Sunday concert T-shirt.
She didn't look the part of the art connoisseur.
I moved across from her where the other wheelchair is supposed to be.
The frail frame snapshot screamed "starving artist" and I proudly looked the part of poet.
We briefly glanced at one another.
Neither of us spoke for she already had, and I was composing what you're now reading.
I suppose we belonged there.
At least until the next stop when the driver started lowering the wheelchair ramp.
