I wonder

I often wonder who sits in this seat.
Is it a man dressed in a suit, getting a ride to work at his fancy office with tall windows overlooking the cityscape?
Is it the teenager, earbuds in, vaping secretly behind their hand, while intermittently typing away messages with thumbs that move faster than light?
Is it the old lady with her flowered dress, a little frumpy but comfortable, one she has had for many years that suits her just fine for a day at the market to buy the things she will need for the week?
Is it the new mom who is struggling to keep her baby asleep despite the noise and confusion around them?
Are they rich and like to ride the train so they can feel like everyone else?
Are they poor and have to take the train because they cannot afford a taxi?
Are they kind and will offer their seat to the elderly man that just got on?
Are they rude and keep their feet as far out in the aisle as they please?
Are they young and laugh because their feet dangle just above the floor?
Are they old and think about all of the trips they have taken on this very train?
Are they smart and take the train to school to learn even more?
Are they dumb and just hope that they will recognize their stop when it comes?
Are they beautiful and like to look across at their reflection in the adjacent window?
Are they ugly and happy to hide away on the busy train without drawing attention?
So many seats, so many routes, so many lives this train crosses through.

©2024 CBialczak