Night Trains
When summer has faded,
insects retreated and the leaves fallen,
I open my ears and listen.
I’ll start hearing it soon.
Metal on metal. Cold as ice.
A night train grinds on the rails tonight.
It’s clearest in winter
My old friend hides in the quiet calm
They are hot chocolate and spiced rum.
They smell of radiators and candle smoke
My sound a warm palm on a frosted pane.
How many nights have they accompanied me?
When the city’s ballad weaves,
my noise pierces it all.
Resonating warm in my chest
I cherish the interruption.
I often wonder if neighbors notice it,
Do they recognize the beauty of its harsh tone?
The rushing of our city’s veins
reminding us of other’s down the line.
The connections we share but never make.
Yes late at night
As I await the soothing screech of train brakes
I’ll remember a book in my hands,
a mug at my side, a blanket on my shoulders.
And when it sings it’s sirens song
I’m reminded of my citizen strangers listening
As the night train brings us home.
