stretched the lazy length of the windows it sags in spots in order to allow a sudden swipe or tug of alert.

he hopelessly hung his head as he pretended to remain awake and dozed against the pane. crammed in this oblong bus, sucking in himself to avoid his seated neighbor, he relaxed in his solitary struggle against the tedious journey. head finally resting, thoughts far away, a dull moment of pleasure in potholes and vibrations.

tugged from the opposite end, it pounces and grabs his ear. the bus veers and screeches and shrugs into a stop. awake and walking now, he sees that life outside can trump within.