Come on, he says
shoving everyone aside
like we are in
his world space
come on, he says
louder this time
as a bubble of man rage
simmers on his skin
I focus on his
tone of voice
annoyed, like everything
is irritating him
come on, he shouts
a third time
his voice yanking
the air behind him
forward into fear
we stumble into
the subway car
surrounding
circling
engulfing
protecting
that slow to
catch up person
who is woman
and calm the air
by our silence and stillness
we let her know that
she is our sister
and our friend
and we are there
we are there