Transit

A journey taken in reverse,

The distance between us growing.

A cord connecting our two hearts pulled taut.

Model railway figures with matchstick limbs

Slide smooth through green-glass water

In miniature husk-canoes.

Bricks, mortar, dust, the countryside’s backstage.

A journey hones and files a person,

Distills and shapes their essence,

Reveals to them the deep truths of their hearts.

Yet each new transit dilutes mine still further,

I fade away.

Solemn multiplicity.

My pale reflection stares and asks me

“And where are you truly?”

Rough grey stones turn to coal,

My eyes fill with lead.

Fuel-rich fumes scorch my throat.

Where I most want to be

Is whence I’ve come.

Could I rewind these few and precious days

And, just perhaps, live them once again?