Faces in a row wait to begin the daily shunt.
Sat aboard we bow our heads to handheld binary,
ignoring the large TV on adjacent walls.
Their broadcast, another repeat of moving scenery.

We sit with thumb in repetition; we know yesterday's story.
But the curiosity of which we serve fails to resist;
the craving for a pictorial record of a faux friend’s breakfast.

Lonely subjects completely surrounded by people.
Yet we hide – validating ourselves as socialites by algorithms of technology.
We sit, hoping to avoid a mundane clone of yesterday,
but facilitate it with various levels of hope for a change of train and different journey.

We’d know the grass isn’t greener on the other train’s TV,
if we looked up to see it.
Appreciate today’s episode, supply a faint smile to another, chat without a digit,
we may yet remedy our hope.

Stuck on a train heading for destruction.

I missed all the stops, I can't get off.

My feet won't move.

The crash is closing in.

I accept my fate, my endi..

I could just drop off the face of the world. I could get off this train and never go back to anywhere I've ever been before. But I won't. Maybe someone would miss me, or someone would be hurt, I'm sure. I don't want that. I thought about this as I walked, in an old sweater, through relentless grey drizzle before six in the morning, and I began groundlessly grinning, as if I were walking down the aisle. I was on my way to mount a train and embark upon the monotonous commute to a job I need but don't want, to work toward a profession I may not ever achieve. But somehow I don't seem to mind. I've affixed an artificial facade of contentedness to my mindlessness, and for whatever reason, I can't help but enjoy it. I could drop off the face of the world, but instead I smile in the rain and stay on the train.

I've been to lots of fun places on the train,
to great holidays
without any rain,
to joyous weddings where the skies were clear,
to Superbowl nights with plenty of beer;
spending yesterday round yours I can now put on that list,
as we chatted
and laughed
and drank
and kissed.

I walked her down to the train
Which I know I shouldn't have
But, see, it was starting to rain
But I know, I shouldn't have.

I just like to watch her walk
And watch her cheeks turn red
Listening to her lovely talk
Even if it's just in my head.

We used to talk
We did, it's true
But now we don't
Which is probably why I'm with you.

I walked you down the subway stairs
Hoping it was us we'd find.
Like I used to, I carried all your cares
Like a train, trailing behind.

We got to the train, and you nodded goodbyes
But as the doors sighed, I stepped inside
You didn't say anything, which was an odd surprise
We used to do this, when in you I'd confide.

We sat in silence
Beside you, I was
It was the closest I'd been to you
Since we ended things, because...
Oh, well.

Searching for something stupid to say,
I muttered, "I don't regret it."
She whispered, "What?" and I looked away.
It was childish, but I let out, "Forget it."

But then I looked back,
And said, "I don't regret us. Even though..."
("Clickety-clack," said the tired train track)
"... Even though we ended like we did, you know."

She looked at me with eyes that said nothing and everything
And the words stumbled off of her tongue,
"I don't either, though I wish I did,
Then it would be easier."

I reached for her hand
(Which was a stupid idea)
But she let her fingers lace
Between mine, in case
I really did let her go.

So many faces in the wind

At the train station

The Glasgow train at 1705 seems late

So many minutes wasted

Should i smoke a cigarette or will the nicotine be wasted

Spending too much time on contemplation

I hope I don't have to purchase a ticket so I can keep the little I have

The train is expensive but I missed the bus

Wouldn't mind a new car but that's too much fuss