She was small and old,

Woollen hat pulled low,

Down to her glasses

Protecting from the harsh cold.

I saw the weariness in her face

And was moved with pity.

She found a seat, sat down.

The bus started up

Brrrrrrrrr brrrrrrrrrrrrr brrrrrrrrr

It roared along.

I was shaken, clinging to the yellow poles

But it didn't bother me.

Next stop.

Screeeeeeeeeeech.

The bus shoots to a halt.

Beep…beep…beep

The ramp is lowered

A woman pushes another,

The wheel chair rolls up the ramp.

"Excuse me" says the disabled one

I look, to see who she is talking to.

"Excuse me" she says again, "Excuse me darling"

I am not in the way?

Then I realise, as the old woman stands up

She moves out of the seat,

And the wheel chair is pushed into the reserved area.

Beep, beep, beep.

The ramp rolls back in.

I watch her as she clings to the pole.

Shaking with every bump of the bus.

She looks so small and fragile.

I smile at her in sympathy,

And her eyes light with the joy of companionship.

She smiles back.