On The Buses. Poem by Michael Walker
On The Buses.
Buses have probably made trains feel a certain rivalry,
since they appeared at the turn of the twentieth century,
after Ford's cars, while trains had steamed on in the nineteenth.
Trams were still rolling down city rail lines when buses appeared,
and took over from them: tramsmust have resented the interlopers.
I personally liked trams and was sorry to see them gradually go.
However, buses are brilliant around cities and for long trips,
giving passengers ringside seats to view the countryside,
views which will flit by like film frames on a screen,
While the driver is at the wheel giving the odd commentary,
but steering the bus like an airline pilot, carefully,
along freeways, motorways and steep country roads.
I very frequently sat back and enjoyed the journey
whether it was on London's tourist, red double-deckers,
or Auckland's slope-seated smooth suburban Go buses.
I thought of trying to get a heavy traffic, bus driver's licence,
as my car licence had no demerits and I was long-time experienced.
I would have been in the driver's seat for a change, on the buses.
11 August,2018.
Ironically, there have been three serious bus accidents in New Zealand recently: in one a bus left the road and plunged down a bank, fatally injuring the driver. Clearly, there has been serious negligence in the three accidents.
The poem consists of six stanzas and not of one or five stanzas as mentioned by you. I have gone through it in entirety.
Rivalry taken by bus driver is very bad. It sometimes creates accident such as in New Zealand recently. So driver should drive the bus carefully. However bus journey brings pleasure and provides arrival timely. A beautiful poem nicely executed.10
These 3 bus drivers in New Zealand were not careful enough, although another vehicle, or vehicles, could have been involved in causing those accidents. As ever, thanks for your comment.
It is unfinished, which I did not realize 'til now. Thanks for your appraisal of the first stanza.
Buses deserved this poetic touch, too. Trains' rivalry with buses is due to generation gap. Thanks, Michael, for giving buses their due.
And thanks for your appraisal of what is only the first of five stanzas. A mistake somewhere in the system.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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7/29/2025 5:30:19 AM # 1.0.0
As I enjoy riding on trains, buses and love being driven around in the car while I can gaze and daydream out the window, unlike yourself, Michael, I have no desire to be the driver. What a big responsibility it would be. Additionally you would need the patience of a saint to navigate skinny, pot-holed Northland roads. I enjoyed your poem.10+