Taking up Space

This poem is a work in progress that has been rattling around my brain for a while.

Taking up Space

I take my turn boarding the bus
and make my way to an empty spot.
I push my wide hips all the way
to the back of the seat. I sit up
like my mama taught me,
squaring my broad shoulders,
but keeping my elbows close,
so I don't poke the man next to me.

I watch the woman across from me
as she perches on half the seat,
hunching her shoulders tight,
and keeping her head down.
The man next to her spreads his knees
and his elbows swing wide as he turns
a page in his newspaper.

I take a slow breath and drop the shoulders
that had started inching toward my ears.
I wiggle my toes and reach
for my newspaper.