Teenagers These Days

I've rediscovered the joys of public transport again, and I am not being sarcastic... The ability to jump on a bus and get more or less where you want to go without the hassle of looking for a parking space or negotiating the traffic chaos and having time to read or people watch is a modern joy that too many of us surrender for the pseudo-independence of driving a car... Anyway, this little piece of doggerel is inspired by my experience on a bus yesterday afternoon.

A testosterone fuelled knot

of boisterous teenage boys

on a bus

straight out of school

spotty and soaked

in a curious combination

of blazers and sports kit

the pent up frustration

of a day in class

slightly offset by

two periods of games

but little fun

in the rain

now chatting and chugging coke

posturing and texting

while fellow passengers

look at them askance

afraid to look them in the eye

holding on tight to their hangbags

and standing rather than sit

next or near them

It’s their stop

they press the bell

and lurch down the aisle

And each and every one of them

for no reason

says to the driver,

just doing his job

“Thanks.”

Teenagers these days.

Cheers

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