The Last Train Ticket

A man who has loved trains all his life and rode them whenever he had the time
Boards this, the last train, for one final run, as railroads have reached the end of their line

This train bears celebrities and people of wealth, captains of industry, fashion and fame
And some true train lovers much like this man, whose love of rail travel carried no shame

He’s journeyed by rail all over the world, through mountains and valleys by day and by night
But this route was special, his favorite by far, the rapids and gorges were such a delight

He chooses a seat in the very first car, a single seat so he could savor the ride
It’s up at the front so he’ll be left alone until the conductor arrives with a stride

After his ticket’s been punched one last time, he draws from a pocket a small plastic case
He fits in the ticket and closes the lid, then carefully seals it while leaving no trace

With ticket in pocket he grabs his valise, turning both closures three times to the right
Returning the suitcase under the seat, he rises and stretches to his full height

He steps in the aisle and walks to the back, passing through carriages brimming with pleasure
The last car in line is his destination, the best one for soaking in all nature’s treasure

Replete with a mass of partying people, he barely finds space for himself at the rear
He feels out of step with humanities path, the loss of caring is abundantly clear

His thoughts wander back to previous trips, wonderful memories with family and friends
His heart aches ambivalent, the joy was so real, but none are still living, the bliss finally ends

The engine now reaches the Wide Gorges Bridge, so he searches a pocket, grasping the switch
He closes his eyes and takes a slow breath, then sends bridge and train tumbling into the ditch

Searchers eventually find the small case housing the ticket and bearing his name
It becomes a museum piece honoring the train, never understanding the man or his pain