Sophie Rose Hinerfeld

Bets
on the F
rather than the R with its shrieks, slow speed, and below ground dwellings
I miss it by less than a minute
but I still count my blessings
At Jay st
mixed messaging
Police or
a train stopped in front of us
I place bets on the A
and rush across the platform
Our doors slide closed
at the same time as the F’s
and I see my mistake
A does not stop at Broadway-Lafayette
Rookie mistake for years stomping above and slipping through the BDFM ACE
so time to place bets
on train number three
Transfer to R or W
or 4,5
Express
Heaven
Though forlorn for my perfected F to 6 sweep up frozen escalator steps
it’s too late for two trains
faulty bets
Next step
an unknown transfer
a ticking clock
I stumble, step on toes
The doors flood open somewhere far below the oculus’ dome
Forty years olds forget their hustle
or they’re responsibly running on time
Not I
As I crest the escalator
the 5 slides shut
and open
and shut
and open
and shut for good right in front of me, myself,
my MET green umbrella, Marimekko polka dots,
and painted anemone tote canvasing my novel and notebook
and my breath
remember my breath
The 5 still, still
the conductor swivels his head
I pray to him
but he rumbles ahead
9am countdown chaos
reeling away from the tracks smiling
I spot a platform sign, thank gosh
Only 2 minutes, thank god
5 pulls in
‘cause 2 minutes means now
and we soar up
through Manhattan’s crowds
Only two stops to 14th
Wisdom here
better and best exits here
Turn through the turnstile
and up sleepy steps
into mist
up and out my umbrella clicks
What care
What safety
I’m doing good, dear
8 minutes late and no one the wiser
Two locks, two keys
took five years to master

Sophie Rose Hinerfeld (She/Her/Hers) is a Brooklyn based filmmaker with a love of writing. A storyteller in many mediums, she focuses on capturing the wonder of the day-to-day in her works.

Third Train’s the Charm is part of her upcoming debut collection, Ants in my Honey, Flies in my Tea.