On the bus this evening
It was a long way home.
Then all at once, I heard it -
Somebody’s mobile phone!

I rolled my eyes and gave a sigh,
I knew what to expect.
Yes, all at once the peace was gone -
It made me feel quite vexed!

It carried on for half an hour,
Right to my destination.
The thing I really didn’t need -
A one-sided conversation!

As I looked around the bus,
I could clearly see
The other passengers on board
Were just as vexed as me!

By now we knew about her job,
Her boyfriend and her dramas.
We even knew that she had bought
A pair of new pajamas!

Just when I started thinking
That I couldn’t take much more,
I saw my stop approaching
And made quickly for the door.

I stepped onto the pavement,
I felt a great elation
Until I saw the other passengers
Had pinned in desperation

A sign in big black letters
On the rear window of the bus.
And so I felt quite guilty
When I saw it read, “Help us!”