There is a man I see on the train at night,
Alone.
He sits by the window,
The same place,
Every time the same clothes.
I see him when I'm coming home late,
When I have gone out,
To a club,
A party,
An event.
I see him when I am with my friends,
The four of us,
Close,
Tight,
Together.
We huddle and hold hands,
Each one of us afraid to lose the other,
Afraid of what the night may hold.
He, however, seems unfazed.
I never see where he gets on,
Or where he leaves.
I never see him move,
Blink,
Or breathe.
I look for him in the mornings,
When I am on my way to class.
I look for him between the faces of the workers,
Squashed together into the glass.
I look for him between the seats in the aisles,
Beside the coffee cups, strewn by the side.
I look for him at stations,
At all times of the day.
I even look for him in different places,
Like the park and on a different subway train.
Never once have I seen him,
When I am on my own.
Never once have I seen him,
When the sun has grown up into the sky.
Never once have they seen him,
None of my friends,
They ask me, "What man?"
And stare at me like it is my bitter end.
Never once have they seen him,
But I know he's true,
Such a sad, lonely character doesn't just [dis]appear out of the blue.
Author notes
Inspired by the image "The Passenger by Nullerman"
(unable to post image with poem as I am not a silver/gold member)
Hope its a bit of what you're looking for!
In a list
A contest entry
- Picture Prompt - Closes Tonight by Touchof1der.
525 points, ended April 3, 2008, 9 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - LETS MAKE A DOUBLE GOLD WINNER FROM YOUR GOLD WINNING POEM by Swan song.
600 points, ended April 12, 2008, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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This poem is just a bit creepy which i think was the deserired effect. It is open and honest to me in its approach and that gave a slight sense of realism
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I really like the simple complexity of this piece. It flows well, is easily relatable and yet has a great metaphoric quality as well. A very smooth and delightful read to be sure. Thank you for sharing this with me and best wishes to you in all of your endeavors. Keep that quill dipped in ink and ever ready for use dear poet. Good luck in the contest!
♥ Touchof1der
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