The Train

-From 'Noon Realizations':

Clickety-clack,
the train which
moves and shakes
on rickety rails.

It buzzes and
hums loudly
then winds down;
all is silent;

it restarts
like a heart
shocked to life.
Then,

it blasts
into daylight
and exposes
through windows
its bobbing,
weaving self;
its cars moving, bouncing
sliding, seeming
in opposition.
Then,

it plummets
into dark
and slows
screaching,
wailing, it
reveals twists
and turns
and dark tunnels
crevaces, dirt...

In this dark
do I see my reflection
in the window over the
head phoned,
corn-rowed,
shiny white on black jacketed,
leaned on knees ,
drumming fingered
kid who glances
at me
illuminated by
a lit interior.

I see
shadows near
the weathered faced,
beige jacketed,
tweed capped,
straight postured
china man who sits
on the edge of his seat,
heavy eye lidded,
staring,
holding a paper but not reading.

I realize,
we are all moving
at the same pace
regardless of
destination, as
this moment of chaos
frozen, shakes
us all and removes
convictions
held strong;

beliefs
in tonight, tomorrow
knowledge,
wonder of
who should live or die
or just strive;
who is destined to know
and see
all truths eventually.

The train, unexpectedly
slows then stops...

We all lean
in tangent
like leaves in a gust
of wind; momentum
makes us rise as we try,
instinctively
to grip the sticky floor
with our feet.