Handprints the size of
bloomed morning glory flowers
are stamped across the window,
the boys’ goodbyes
are now but echoes.
On the other side,
I bury my eyes in my sleeve.
I look up at you
with a tightness forming in my chest,
knowing you
have memorized loss like a map.
You offer me comfort —
a small smile,
a squeeze of the hand.
For you, it is just
another Tuesday night
and I think I might be
one stop closer to
understanding that you
have been here all your life,
stationed at the platform,
rushing wind whipping at you
with every passing train.
Years ago, you would’ve beamed
at all the faces in the window,
welcoming each passenger with
open arms and belly deep laughter,
but far too many trains
have stopped by, if at all.
Too many good-willed souls
have stepped onto the platform,
warmed a bench with you
over vending machine snacks and
life lessons in the form of anecdotal detours,
only to hurry back to their train before the doors closed.
No one is ever satisfied
with the way they said goodbye.
I know that sometimes
yours are halfway through your lips
before you are met with empty tracks.
But as for me, my love,
I have finally arrived.
There are no stops left.
This is my station,
the end of the line.
Watch me stay for a lifetime.
May 23
May 23, 2026 at 11:11 AM UTC
Handprints the size of
bloomed morning glory flowers
are stamped across the window,
the boys’ goodbyes
are now but echoes.
On the other side,
I bury my eyes in my sleeve.
I look up at you
with a tightness forming in my chest,
knowing you
have memorized loss like a map.
You offer me comfort —
a small smile,
a squeeze of the hand.
For you, it is just
another Tuesday night
and I think I might be
one stop closer to
understanding that you
have been here all your life,
stationed at the platform,
rushing wind whipping at you
with every passing train.
Years ago, you would’ve beamed
at all the faces in the window,
welcoming each passenger with
open arms and belly deep laughter,
but far too many trains
have stopped by, if at all.
Too many good-willed souls
have stepped onto the platform,
warmed a bench with you
over vending machine snacks and
life lessons in the form of anecdotal detours,
only to hurry back to their train before the doors closed.
No one is ever satisfied
with the way they said goodbye.
I know that sometimes
yours are halfway through your lips
before you are met with empty tracks.
But as for me, my love,
I have finally arrived.
There are no stops left.
This is my station,
the end of the line.
Watch me stay for a lifetime.
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