Passenger One

The serpent gliding on silver tracks,

Its lights flickering,

Casting shadows that dance in the car

Of this but one passenger

On a subway journey.

Above…

The city sleeps knowing not

The bending and stretching

Sanctuary from chaos below

In this underground cocoon.

Some…

Say the rhythm of the rails

Emits a lullaby,

A metronome-like heartbeat,

Steady and unchanging,

A companion in the solitude.

Stations…

Blur past ghostly platforms

Where no one is waiting,

Their forgotten footsteps

Now but a whispering into the draft

Of echoing air.

Passenger one…

Knows well the route,

The stops,

The doors opening

In this kingdom of concrete and steel,

Where dreams ride the rails,

And the night holds its breath.