Golden crunchy leaves, bumpy bus.
House names, Astrids Villa and Daphnes Dream
Victorian Villas, Edwardian Houses,
smell of diesel and other bodies
I’m taking the bus today
It’s something new for me,
not since a young child have I taken the bus,
now I am old and enjoying the free concession
for the bumpy ride.
It started in the Autumn months when
crunchy ginger leaves covered the lanes
on the side roads into town.
Five or six ladies with bags and many years
of friendships, waited to board,
they shuffled down the aisle
bags and some trolleys left in the front hold.
I sat towards the back and listened,
Hello Maud said one but they all replied!
Alright Bridget thanks, still here said another
then they chatted animately and all laughed together…
The bumpy bus was a meeting place,
I was new, they smiled and I smiled back.
I thought of school days and enjoyed the views
from my high window seat,
such a change from only seeing the main road
and the busy traffic.
Round the back of Lincoln we went,
passing by the old villas and twisting through
narrow busy streets, ending at the new bus station.
Bye Flora, bye Joan, byeeeeee, see you later.
At 4pm I caught the bus back,
the ladies arrived carrying their various parcels
and wielding their trolly bags. A mad commotion
followed as they settled, bargains were discussed
perpended, considered, debated and chewed-over.
A couple of the ladies had treats for the driver,
amusing as he opened the paper bags to a
custard tart, a pork pie and tales of their adventures
He had a word for everyone, as I concealed a smile.
I got off at my stop and a chorus of goodbyes
followed with see you next week!
I returned their smiles and waved.
The elderly ladies travelled on to the next village
heads down, reminiscing I thought as
I walked the last bit home, slowly thinking
I had returned to my childhood
with one free fare,
bringing memories of school days
and the bumpy bus that took us there…
A full circle perhaps and
now an occasional new life,
this free concession that
brought memories and joy
2023.