The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the name of the organization that runs Toronto's public transit services (busses, subway trains, and streetcars), and a commonly used shorthand for those services (as in, "are you taking a cab or the TTC?"). No public transit system is exactly pleasant, but for someone accustomed to the privacy and comfort of car travel, even a relatively safe, clean, and well maintained network like Toronto's can be a nightmare.
When I first moved to Toronto, I took the TTC every day to work. The route was a somewhat clumsy one involving two subway transfers and a 45 minute bus ride through one of the less affluent parts of the city. Fresh out of school, struggling with a real job, I was getting the first taste of my quarterlife crisis (though I didn't suspect such a thing existed at the time). A variety of personal issues sent me into a particularly dark period that first winter, where my mood flickered daily through anger, loneliness, cynicism, uncertainty, hostility, bitterness, resignation, disgust, and no small degree of insanity. The various physical, mental, and emotional stresses of my commute did nothing to soothe the pain I was feeling.
It was during this time that I penned the 'poems' below. I found them just now while browsing through some old files - I'd almost forgotten about them. Reading them again recalls the raw edge of tightly-reined anger that still bubbles just inside of me, sometimes sending out sparks whenever it's been pent up too long. These aren't particularly poetic; they may be offensive to some, but they have a venomous and none-too-subtle sarcasm that's perhaps humorous enough to share, in its way. In any case, I make no apologies for the sentiment that these convey - I still hate public transit.
Poetry inspired by my daily travels
TTC HAIKU ONE
"Please do not touch me"
this is my desperate plea...
but you always do.
RITE OF PASSAGE
you sat upon your throne, in judgement
(i was at your feet)
and asked
"who stands before me?"
i spoke:
"this day dawned upon a boy
but i have ridden the TTC
and i have smelled
the human feces.
before you stands a man."
TEN DIRTY CHILDREN pt.I
ten dirty children
your clothing is poorly made.
genetic filter?
TEN DIRTY CHILDREN pt.II
ten dirty children
running up and down the aisle.
genetic filter?
TEN DIRTY CHILDREN pt.III
ten dirty children
i would slaughter all of you
genetic filter?
THE CRUELTY
well this is a change...
a pretty face?
here, on the bus?
she has big cans
i think i'll move a little closer
they're huge!
her waist is small
i bet she has a sore back
(i'd give you an oil massage...)
I'm closer now
i can almost see down her shirt
perfect skin!
am I a pervert?
no, just bored, and horny, and insane
it's ok to look
She rises from her seat
she smells nice as she brushes past - blueberries
NO, THIS CAN'T BE YOUR STOP!
DON'T GO!
And look what has replaced you
this ancient crack whore.
TTC HAIKU TWO
that woman is huge
her flatulence, disgusting
i'll catch the next train
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
The subway is a wonderful place,
for every color and every race!
It rumbles along, speeds up, slows down,
like a roller coaster ride - All around town!
Take the whole family for the day,
let the children run and play!
But keep them the fuck away from me
cuz i'm about ready to snap.