It's the whining of the brakes
that disturbs my sleep
as the old train grinds
into the midnight station.
It's to the whining of the brakes
that I move back the curtains
to peer outside.
When the side of my hand
I rub clean the steamy window
and watch
as the sleepy lights move round.
A grey rain-coated figure
leans against the dirty carriage
and he blocks out
half my view.
He re-lights a stubbed cigarette
and tightens his face
as he suck in
I close my eyes
and I think of the sunshine.
I dream of the hills.
I think of the long tall dry grass;
and of lighting a fire
as the sun goes down.
A train rattles past
in the opposite direction
and the lights send shadows
gliding across my face.
There's a shouting on the platform;
There's a slapping of wet footsteps;
There's a crashing of doors...
... and we clunk and grind out of the station.
The moonlit towns-
they look peaceful tonight.
they've been washed
by the retreating rain.
But I close my eyes
and I dream:
of those warm summer walks,
and those warm summer talks,
and of...