A School Bus Is Coming
On weekday mornings
on a quiet corner
three moms with small
sons and daughters
wait for a school bus
they hope is coming
The children laugh
play a game of tag
three moms are silent
three feet apart
One reads a book
another smokes
the other checks
her cell phone
The bus pulls up
the kids pile on
and rush to windows
to wave good-bye
the moms all wave
as if in sync
The bus takes off
makes its turn
three moms
walk home
three feet apart
down the block
without a word
three moms
with children gone
are free at last
white, black and brown
Donal Mahoney
