Open-hearted travellers

Open-hearted travellers

Nod in recognition

Over coffee

Nibbling a croissant

Hot from the oven

Taking time

To chew more than fat

Passing up the chance

To sit down

In the haste to catch up

With the day

Early morning commuters

Carry cups

To refuel on the go

As the sun gathers strength

Across the bay

Beads of sweat run

Down the backs

Of office workers

Hurrying on their way

To the station

Overdressed for the weather

Already in a lather

Over emails

Answered on trains

Young Turks

Strut

Showing their worth

In numbers

Counting the cost

Of their lives

In stress-induced

Psychosis

Self-managed

Opiate relief

Better than espresso

At lifting them up

For a time

Until the fall

Which comes to all

Who forego the opportunity

To breathe in

Smell more than coffee

In the morning

Or spread a brunch

Into lunch

And beyond

Into high-tea soirees

With friends