she got into my cab at the train station
knew where she wanted to go
it was a motel just west of the city
I was much younger then
and she seemed very lonely
we talked the few miles
talked through the red lights
and the green
and when we arrived at the motel
the Rock Haven Motor Hotel
we were on a first name basis
and for a tip
she asked me into her room
it was clear what she wanted
what she needed
and I was willing
to give her some of it
but by the time
we were through
it was clear
I didn’t have what she needed
she cried while I got dressed
and cried some more
when I kissed her goodbye
I closed the door softly
got back in my taxi
turned on the light
let the dispatcher know
I was back in business
rolled the big car softly
over the noisy gravel
and back out
onto the street
Michael Dennis
http://michaeldennispoet.blogspot.ca