IMPLACABLE FORCE
There’s no AA for stealing buses and trains.—Darius McCollum,
convicted 30 times for impersonating transit system operators
convicted 30 times for impersonating transit system operators
I get caught, I do my time. I am released.
It’s not so hard to steal a subway train.
It’s not so hard to steal a subway train.
I memorized the routes, befriended transit workers.
My first success—age 15—the Lex express to Wall Street.
My first success—age 15—the Lex express to Wall Street.
To steal a bus or train is not so hard.
Stabbed in the back in second grade, I retreated into trains.
Stabbed in the back in second grade, I retreated into trains.
At age 15, my first success—a Lex express to Wall Street.
I watch for bus drivers heading to the restroom.
I watch for bus drivers heading to the restroom.
Stabbed in the back when I was eight, I retreated into trains.
I know the drill for changing shifts, I’ve got uniforms and keys.
I know the drill for changing shifts, I’ve got uniforms and keys.
I watch for motormen taking smoke breaks.
To steal, one must mingle with routine.
To steal, one must mingle with routine.
I know the shift-change drill, I own uniforms and keys.
I do not speed or deviate from scheduled stops.
I do not speed or deviate from scheduled stops.
Successful stealing is to mingle with routine.
Passengers don’t know it’s me who’s in control.
Passengers don’t know it’s me who’s in control.
I never speed or deviate from scheduled stops.
To brake a racing train is to master implacable force.
To brake a racing train is to master implacable force.
It’s me who’s in control—the passengers don’t know.
Harper’s told my story, photographed my stabbing scar.
Harper’s told my story, photographed my stabbing scar.
To master implacable force is to brake a racing train.
My friends were transit workers; I memorized the routes.
Harper’s did an article, showed my stabbing scar.
I do my time, I am released. I get caught.
My friends were transit workers; I memorized the routes.
Harper’s did an article, showed my stabbing scar.
I do my time, I am released. I get caught.
Previous Lives, Red Mountain Press, 2018