train surgery

you meet a stranger
on the train,
and have a friendly
conversation
about the weather
as you both hang
onto the overhead
straps. so, she says,
how long have
you had that mole
on the side of your
forehead. she takes
a sharpie out
of her purse with
the deftness of a thief
and circles it. hey,
what are you doing.
is that indelible ink?
i can take it off
for you, she says.
i'm a registered nurse
in south carolina.
she pulls out a
gleaming scalpel
and puts on a
surgical mask.
the train is going
to hit a stretch
of straight rails
soon, i'll cut it
out then, she says
pressing her
gloved fingers
against your head.
it might bleed a little,
but don't worry,
i have some cotton
balls and astringent
in my purse. okay,
here we go.