midnight train

(inspired by "Spirited Away")

the midnight train
picks up the few in
this world who have nowhere
else to go, no one
left to turn to.

we spend our lonely
nights staring out into
the inky darkness passing
by, as if there is something
out there that still
matters to us.

don't be frightened when you see
the glassy eyed children
or the lost women with
tear stained cheeks.

don't try to run when
you see the men
consumed by shadows and 
grief, almost gone as they
sit with their bags, pretending
that they're actually going
to get off one day.

sometimes, i see it.
a glimmer in their eyes,
a ghost of a smile.
a spark of hope.
a sign that this never ending
journey might one day
be over.

maybe someday someone
will get off.
someone will understand
that they have always had
somewhere to go, someone
to turn to.

i long for the day
when these tired eyes will
dry and set their gaze
on the beautiful world
before them.
i really do.

but after years 
of waiting, one does
begin to lose hope.

so i sit here on the 
midnight train and watch
as my life goes by 
in the dark.