the night is silent
the sound of leaves rustle
along cracked pavements
you scuff your shoes on the platform
as moonlight glints
off the smooth round edges of
pebbles that are scattered along
rusting railway tracks

the wind whispers
as repetitive ringing sounds
you hear the bell signalling
the arrival of the train
the leaves once tranquil are lifted
in the thin hurricane of night breeze
and coal smoke

the train conductor reaches out
and you cautiously slip
a near faded ticket into his pinched fingers
with a simple turn of the handle
you watch your ticket shredding
and your feet step forward
into the train

inertia brings you stumbling
to the opposite side of the cabin
your hands press softly against
frostbitten windows
and your breath steams the glass
landscapes flutter by;
they are butterflies melting into the night

you run your fingers along
the battered cloth seats and tattered posters
it is cold
and the abandonment seeps into you
from the floor through the soles of your shoes
you shiver

time in the still air slows while
the scenery rushes by as the train picks up speed;
already your worries seem like history
the distance between you and reality
drags on wider but
you don't mind
as you stand in the empty train cabin
with your empty soul and empty eyes

you finally feel as if
you are safe

- - -