[FOsen]

Two-Part Return

You can’t set out, if your return
is marked by the conductor’s punch.
It isn’t really her concern

just why that is; should she discern
the stamp or perforated scrunch,
she’ll leave you in the platform's churn

although you're shrieking like a tern.
Don’t get your knickers in a bunch.
For now, you may as well just burn

both tickets, limp away, adjourn
inside and have a shrink-wrapped lunch.
Commune with an attentive fern

and soon you may no longer yearn
for transport through the present crunch.
You're here. Admit - you had a hunch
You couldn't leave and can’t return.

Frank