still half an hour away
from that first coffee of the morning
I barely notice the transit system police
boarding the bus
until their abrupt
PASSES AND TRANSFERS PLEASE

pull out my ECO-PASS
for inspection
a One-Tonne Challenge
climate change incentive
not to take my car to work
though more importantly
convenience in
not having to stand in line
at the ticket booth
for a new pass every month

even better
the cost
automatically deducted
from my pay cheque
at Environment Canada
though unlaminated
plasticized protection
since discarding the intrusive
around the neck thingy

bottom right corner hologram
to deter counterfeiting
slowly worn away
from so many trips in pocket
though I make a point
not to put anything scratchy beside it
to stop further deterioration

flash it at the cop
in full body armor (but no gun)
who looks at it longer
than any transit officer before
and says in an authoritative voice
while seizing it
(which he clearly enjoys)
you and I are going to have a little talk
get off at the next stop with me
then starts walking
to the back of the bus
to check other riders’ IDs

having been singled out
I can feel the stares
in my peripheral vision
of other nearby riders
imagine their thoughts
some I’ve rode with for years
flashing me back to the distant
delinquent days of my youth

once off the bus
the transit cop issues me a day pass
after telling me to get
the hologram
ECO-PASS replaced

© 2007
Revised © 2018

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12/19/2018

Posted on 12/19/2018
Copyright © 2025 Chris Sorrenti