every morning before the sun comes up, i put on my winter coat, gloves, and hat, and walk down the hill to the edge overlooking the light rail transit stop for the city market. the best days are when the sun peaks over the horizon just at the same time that the first train comes in, and by the second month of lockdown i was marking these days on the calendar ahead of time. i bring a mug of coffee if i have time to make one, and i've started microdosing on the special days.

when the train comes in i quickly stand up, pull off my right glove and my hat, and give an extra-long salute. however, my uncle is a military historian and he said if you make them too long it's actually just as rude as undershooting it, so i'm careful about that nowadays. i've just ordered an orange safety vest because i don't think the conductor of the train has noticed me yet, and i want them to know their city appreciates them for helping us all get around so well. maybe someday they'll be pulling in every morning and stopping at the stop there just to pick up a steaming mug of joe delivered by yours truly. i could sing to them too even if they like that.