Right before Fullerton

When that red line train

Rolls through the dark tunnel

And the last bits of track,

Before sky comes in sight,

Feel like the whip-back on

Amusement park coaster

And light leaps in through

Keyed, dirty windows

And if you look close at

Mouths of the riders

Each one curls just slightly

When train comes from the dark.

When we're up with roofs

Watching DePaul soccer

And young, patio drunks

In their Cubs T’s and shades

Then Belmont boyz in their fohawks

In their jeans, in their world

Then Addison gives glimpse

Of Chicago’s best stage

I rise from hard seat

Hold the pole, look to street

Dig shoes in, go with curve

As train strolls to stop.

When I get down the stairs

Breathe in dust, taste the piss

Of last night’s bums, boys

And Holiday Club closers

I hit Sheridan with sigh

Always look both ways

And then decide:

Get a taco from Raf

A cup of Joe from Scott

A beer from Bobby T

Or get to place, throw on shoes

And run some miles near Lake.

When I first moved out here

From Yonkers, months ago

It was too cold to wander

But I needed to see

So I rode the red line

And always waited, like child

Yearns for dad to return,

For the track rise at Fullerton

Where on those cold, frozen days

A glimpse of warmth, of spring

Of soccer, Cubs and smiles

Would come into view.