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right along the tracks

I was driving home crossing the tracks
followed by a moderate left bend
a car parked on the river side of the road
to my left a dark figure walking along the railbed
hands in jacket pockets & eyes cast downward

it was early december & the sun had all but set
creating bright streaks of color along the horizon
sparkling across the quiet wakes
the lone figure becoming darker by the second

what could he be looking for this time of day
a scarf or pair of gloves or glasses
maybe some sort of precious keepsake

suddenly I smell rock & wood & steel
as if I was right there with him
but of course by this time
it was too late for me to turn around





december two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved