The Face in the Passing Train

He’d always thought there was somebody

Who could make his life complete,

Among all the faceless people that

He passed in the city street,

But not one ever attracted him

For the faces there were blank,

Lost in their daily routine, at the Mall

And the City Bank.

 

A city is full of strangers with

No time to smile or greet,

They come in out of the suburbs, and

They jostle, but never meet,

Their lives are hidden from everyone

If they even have a life,

‘The girls are married to drones,’ he thought,

‘And the men to a restless wife.’

 

‘And mine is just as monotonous,’

He thought, as he caught the train,

Hurrying through the sliding doors,

Each morning was just the same.

He caught a glimpse of the human tide

On each station they passed by,

He caught the only Express each day

And that was the reason why.

 

It hurried away past Ovingham,

It slowed but it didn’t stop,

It passed the station at Orly Rue

Raced past the folk at Klop,

It slowed right down to a walking pace

As it sauntered past Beauclaire,

And as it did, his eyes had lit

On a girl that was standing there.

 

It must have been only seconds that

He could focus on her face,

Her eyes a dazzling blue, her stare

Was arch, but full of grace.

He turned his head as he went on by,

And could swear she stared right back,

Prompting his heart to leap so high

It was like a heart attack.

 

But the train went on and the girl was gone

As he mopped his fevered brow,

His head said she was the only one

But to find her, it screamed, ‘How?’

He took some days off work, and haunted

The station at Beauclaire,

If ever he was to find her, then

He’d surely find her there!

 

The days went by, but she didn’t show

And he thought she’d gone for good,

How would he ever find her again

In this massive neighbourhood?

He watched as his own Express went by

In a burst of springtime rain,

And there was her face at the window,

The face in the passing train.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[BlackRose]

What a marvelous romatic like story of coming across the 'right' one among how one will pass or cross paths in a day. Simply LOVE this piece. Worth the read as always. Again, you never disappoint and reminds me of my own similar to this. But for us, we are SOOO happy that fate stepped in. ;o)

[TPK Stories]

A nice romantic story with "fate"ful twists....excellent...

[Ellen Hammond]

I so enjoy reading your work as you almost always have a twist in the story line. This romantic whim is a little different from the grim tales you often post but still has your flair. Captivating.

[Avinash]

Life is full of missed chances and this brilliant poem is a poignant reminder of that.

[Woody]

wonderful finish!! love this little story.
it poses a very good question, doesn't it? should we be content with what we have and bide our time or take the bull by the horns and take the initiative? quite a dilemma.

[Marie]

A tale of star crossed--or at least train crossed lovers. I wonder if he'll get on the train to find her, and pass her by again?