The Train

Standing on the wooden platform,
trembling slightly in anticipation.
I watch as the train slowly pulls
into the station.

People coming and going, brakes
squealing and hissing as it rolls
to a stop. The doors slide open.
It's here, HE's here.
People exit from the train like
little ants from their hill. Many
faces, happy faces, sad ones,
tired and bored ones.

Faces of engineers, weary and
strained from a meeting that
didn't go all that well.

Faces of harried mothers with
a babe in one arm and a chubby
little toddler on the other.

Faces of young people, starting
a new life away from home, filled
with hope, excitement, and maybe
just a little too much confidence.

I scan each face until I come upon
the dearest face of all. The face I've
come to love so deeply, the one I've
been waiting ever so long to see again.

My heart stops beating, my body
stands rigid in excitement when
I spot him.

He doesn't see me yet, I take that
moment to search his face, those
beautiful eyes, that firm mouth,
the mustache I adore. Oh yes, I've
missed him so much.

He sees me now, his face lights up and
he quickly moves toward me. It's as if
my shoes are nailed to this platform,
I cannot move! I giggle as he moves
closer. He opens his arms and scoops
me up in a hug so tight, I can barely
breathe.



His face becomes serious as he
presses his lips to mine. The
world stops, there is no sound,
no movement, save the beating of our
hearts. I hold him tight to me, fear
of his leaving me too soon. I delight
in his taste, his breath upon my cheek,
his hard firm body molding to mine.

Make time stand still I plead, let
this go on forever. We whisper over
and over, words we've wanted to say
for so long.

But time has this habit of moving
on whether you want it to or not.
Reluctantly, he drags his lips from
mine, he whispers to me "I love you,
Baby. We've been apart too long".
I can only read the words on his
lips for the sound of the train's
horn fills the air. The conductor hollers
"All Abooooaaarrrd!".

Panic takes over, I plant swift
kisses on his cheek, his eyes,
his nose. I cry out, "I adore you".
The conductor yells again, "Last Call!"
He kisses me once on the forehead
and slowly turns away from me. I
grab his hand tightly, I squeeze it,
he squeezes back.

He turns away again to pick up the
suitcase, then looks back with a
grin and says, "If you're ready,
My Love?".

Words have left me now, as I nod
stupidly. He gives my hand a tug
and we run to the train. As we reach
the door he turns to me and says,
"Be careful, Sweetheart, the first
step is a big one".

Smiling brightly, all my love
showing in my eyes I think to myself....
"Yes, it is."

Written by, Audrey Lynn