shortandsweaty

my baby is stuck in an elevator
my curly haired brown skinned baby
stuck in a locker I put her in for safe keeping
and now it takes money to get her back out
5 dollars and 25 cents and I fumble with the change
I am almost too late. she is limp and sweaty and peeved at me
the elevator took too long and now she is sick and weak
since I began working in tall office buildings
elevators are everywhere, always there
between where I am and where I want to be
I take her to a party; I need to leave but it is difficult
the girl from the train is there, the one
with rings in her hair, who I don’t know if she meant
to lean to let me see so far up her skirt.
she said, does this train seem to be leaning to you
it makes a horrible screeching sound and someone
has put my baby in the trunk of a car again
how long until I dream of trains again, this time
I leave my briefcase on the seat and an old woman
bent like a funhouse mirror asks is that your book
they are secret documents from work which I have
almost left behind me on the subway, thank you thank
you I think, old people are nicer
and they respect each other more. why would I
respect you, I think, I don’t even know you