The morning comes,

they gather here

in this encolsed bus stop for trains.

While tourists chatter

and plan their day,

important men and their proteges,

discuss Wall Street, State Street,

big deals and the Cubbies.

Soon the train begins its modest

rocket shot towards the City of Big Shoulders.

Stopping a bit for other types of ordinary people,

going to work, to play,

on a visit or a holiday.

Bit by bit, the buildings grow,

the signs flash by,

the face of the great city becomes clearer

as its massive landmarks spring to life.

Then night falls on the behemoth,

which sometimes looks like a set

of interlocking smaller places.

Another group descends on the loading platform,

second shift workers homeward bound,

workmen and tourists, tired yet still

excited about their great adventure.

All the commuters can see

are thier reflections in the train windows,

as all the urban landscape hides out in the dark,

though high rise lights poke at the night.

and the enclosed bus stops, now lit

by a dim neon glow, weclome the riders home.