the train whistles loudly,
insistent
we rock and sway as we
hurtle down the tracks
clutching the paper cup of
too-hot coffee i
stare mesmerized
through the rain-streaked window
landscapes rush by
and vanish
a sturdy, weathered house
cloud formations against
a vast midwest sky
moments
here, now, and quickly
gone
i desperately long for
something i can’t name
i take photo after photo
trying to capture
a dusting of snow
refracted light
power lines stretching
into the distance
a car on an otherwise
deserted road
stopped at the tracks
while the train
shrieks by
i want i want i want
i know
this heartache
this longing
to cling to what’s constantly
changing
the dog
muzzle already
streaked with gray
the kids (oh the kids)
grown gigantic overnight
Victoria
on hospice
the train approaches the
end of the journey
I take photo after photo
the train whistle calls
be here now
the trees sigh and murmur
let go let go let go