my daughters beau

He picked me
put a smile on my face
he picked me
the world's a brighter place
a kiss to the cheek
was all it took
young love - steps by the book.

Going underground.....150

They say you have to be a right 'Charlie' to ride just one stop,
though I guess the occasional trip....
But rush hour is more like a shuffle
waiting, waiting - many deep
hopeful of a space on the next ride
reminiscent of Dunkirk

150 seconds to the next train
150 commuters crammed into a space
that would be comfortable for only a third
anywhere else and this proximity would be assault
unwanted intimacy send many to seek solitude
close eyes, listen to a beat - hold breath

150 steps as the escalator has ceased
to drag us skyward, again
a brief sprint into the bottle
neck and neck to the exit barrier
always behind the ticket that refuses to release
its protest for the sub-surface experience?
huff, puff - though steam has long departed
into the slalom of meandering tourists and the time rich
towards daylight, our salvation.