Reversals

today I rode 

a train that drove backwards
a brief pause
after it went forwards 

retreating back for a moment of confusion and unexpected camaraderie 

and somehow an excuse to pull down masks, but why 

I don’t know
then it paused again
returned to forward motion
But her mask stayed below her chin

as she unwrapped golden chocolates
I sat stewing, trying not to glare, wanting to scold her
Ask her
Why can I see the bottom of your face?

phone call after phone call, talking and spitting

aerosols spewing

a conductor passing, not noticing 
but when she spoke to the train car, 

I stumbled, a slight panic

trying not to look her way

so she might speak to someone else
What stop is this? 

now she was looking right at me
I mumbled back. 
What stop is this?
Highland Avenue. 

maybe I was glaring 
rewind 

go back so I can 

insert what I wanted to say here.