An Ode to the Taxi Drivers

This is an ode to the taxi drivers
who pick me up from unfamiliar streets

This is an ode to the taxi drivers
who humor my pronunciation,
pay attention to my gesticulation,
and make every attempt at communication

This is an ode to the taxi drivers
who fill the space

with talk so small
it almost slips
between the cracks of translation
into that place where
true human connection

resides

This is an ode to the taxi drivers
who hock loogies so large I wonder
if the car behind us
will hydroplane

This is an ode to the taxi drivers
who give me hope
I will make it home