Finding Your Seat

(inspired by the stories of Chuang Tzu)

A boy, traveling to meet his friend in the city, rode the subway,
constantly looking for a place to sit.

When his train stopped, an old woman stood.
So did a business man and a girl with her brother –
all in different parts of the car.

The doors opened, and they went shopping, to work, or to school.

The boy scrambled for each vacant seat,
but was always beaten by someone closer –
someone who stood still until the place in front of them was free.

The boy found his way to his friend in the city,
but the trip was harder than it should have been –
and his feet were tired before he got there.

He stood the whole way.