My bus is very crowded

Which I do not welcome

I am the only Englishman

On this interesting bus

A Spanish girl named Alba

Is sitting next to me

She speaks very little English

Although she tells me

That her name means Dawn

Her brother recently died in Oporto

But she was unable to make the funeral

As she needed to clean herself up

I am travelling as I always do

For just the experience and nothing else

What she does not know

Is that I covered her fare

Or at least part of the costs

Alba thinks that the owner

Of the small Blue Cafe

Helped to cover her journey

As he was keen to help

The toll of her addictions

Have taken their toll

And she looks much older

Than her tender years

She weeps occasionally

I pretend not to notice

When we stop for meals

I treat her in ignorance

Of the situation

Or so she thinks

I prefer it this way

My small companion

Was once rather pleasant looking

Her large raven eyes

Still dominate her face

Yet even they look tired

And full of self inflicted pain

She has no plans

For many parts of her journey

But this does not seem

To concern her at present

I am just the kind Englishman

Who happens to be travelling with her

Maybe she has hopes of my alms

But she does not make this clear