jdubqca

on the other side of the mountain

I don’t know too much about trains
other than loving to be a passenger
sitting backwards

it’s no time machine
at least that’s what they tell me
stamping tickets & tipping their hats

if you’re anything like me
you’ve had your fair share of whatever it is
you want to call it
whether traveling underground
or elevated or seemingly in the clouds

I used to want to learn the language
but now I just want to cut a deal
silver bullet steamrolling into the mountain





october two thousand twenty-one
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved

it’s her turn to cry

waiting for the rain to stop
for the pocket phone to ring
waiting for the midnight train
taking me to promised land

you’ve been gone so long
I’ve forgotten how to find you
sitting on a depot bench
I watch the trains crawl by

waiting becomes cumbersome
patience a thing of the past
I walk away from the waiting
waving goodbye one last time




may two thousand eighteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved

she had been there

the midnight train arrived early tonight
and I was running an hour late

I wasn’t even sure if she was on it
all I had was a telegram and no promise
sent from chicago to philadelphia
a few short days ago

I walked into the station and found a place
to stand still
   winded
       catching my breath
loosening my neck like an eagle

so it seemed all the baggage handlers
were now focused on eager
departing passengers

I took the telegram out of my back pocket
unfolded and slowly breathed it in

after breathing out
I inhaled a second time
     and closed my eyes

march two thousand sixteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved