The A-9

the d.c. transit bus
was a quarter one way,
which you dropped
into a clear glass
box beside the driver.
a quarter back.
you got on at the dc
line, south capitol
street before it
became indian head
highway, rolling
into Maryland.
from there it took
you to the national
archives building
where you would
get off and wander
the streets
with your delinquent
friends,
skipping school
with a few dollars
in your pockets.
wandering the alley
ways, museums,
peep shows and
monuments until it
was time to leave.
sometimes you'd take
in a senator's ball game,
or movie if james bond
was on the screen.
when you finally arrived
back home, your mother
would say, so how
was school today,
and you'd reply,
okay.