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How could I not?

by Julie Adams


I stand alone at the train station, waiting hungrily,
with bags not all my own; feet antsy, eyes alert,
heart pumping hard enough to reach him.

I am waiting + waiting + waiting, emblazoned with angst,
the anticipation stifles, these bags anchor me motionless,
yet I feel nothing but the air blowing between us.

Perhaps there are people shuffling about,
minding their own time, travels, business,
but the background here fell silent ages ago.

The night train is coming + coming + coming, working
its way down the track—one long equals sign, and we stand together
at the end of it all—but an eternity lay between us now.

The surroundings are still, held in blurred cubes,
black and white pixels like an unfocused Ansel image
haunting my tunnel vision of his vibrant arrival.

Finally his train pulls into the station, so slowly
it pains me, enough to jump onto the tracks in front of it
and pull it in myself; my desire so reckless and vivid

in my mind. My Morse-coded pulse has willed his safe arrival.
But I wait, still, by the bags, knowing he will feel my energy burning
and find me, suddenly! And this recognition will awaken us

from this lack we’ve shared. Let it seep new life into our journey.
Let the lovelight flood the platform between us; as a smile
curls his dark roasted eyes, and relief flashes bronze across his face,

I see his perfect teeth gleaming—the only white, picket fence I need.
I am home again in his embrace, inhale, and he in mine,
exhale. In a final whoosh, the air disappears between us.

How could I not wait for him…time, baggage, and all?
My rough-diamond man; my island treasure.
I have known love, but none such as this. Now

I am breathing.


03/14/2010

Posted on 03/14/2010
Copyright © 2024 Julie Adams

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by George Hoerner on 03/14/10 at 01:26 PM

I like it Julie. There is much anticipation through this piece. Well done lady.

Posted by Joe Cramer on 03/14/10 at 05:11 PM

... brilliant Jewels, brilliant.....

Posted by Joan Serratelli on 03/14/10 at 08:07 PM

Jewels- absoluutely beautiful. So well crafted- great imagry- thanks for this gem= it's precious.

Posted by Ken Harnisch on 03/14/10 at 09:36 PM

I share Joan's view, Jewels..this is a diamond and in all facets, it is a perfect poem!

Posted by Glenn Currier on 03/15/10 at 03:47 AM

Well, you had me waiting with anticipation, hovering over your lines, feeling the train inch, you and he (hopefully) on parallel tracks as well. I especially love the baggage metaphor. How much baggage I accumulate over the months and years between last visits with loved ones. That's MY interpretation anyway. This poem so captivated my imagination I started making a movie out of it. Thanks, Jewels.

Posted by Melissa Arel on 03/16/10 at 12:49 AM

oh my freakin goodness. to say i loved this is an understatement! breathtakingly beautiful in every way. simply AMAZING!

Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 03/16/10 at 06:22 PM

I am one who believes there are passages of affection that anticipate heaven for us. I think you found one...sometimes our lives do answer to our ideal. Just beautiful verse. Thanks.

Posted by Tom Goss on 03/16/10 at 06:52 PM

Wonderfully engaging, and startlingly familiar as I was that guy getting off the train 6 years ago. Never underestimate the romance of trains. ;)-

Posted by Angie Jenkins on 03/16/10 at 09:16 PM

"I see his perfect teeth gleaming—the only white, picket fence I need." I love love love this line! This poem is outstanding, I love the vivid descriptions; it makes me feel like I'm there in the moment! Kudossss

Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 03/17/10 at 07:39 PM

A beautiful reunion - the train gives this a measured approach, the baggage a sense of gathered experiences to share or discard, and my favorite lines - "as a smile curls his dark roasted eyes, and relief flashes bronze across his face". How could one not say, "bienvenue!"

Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 03/17/10 at 11:29 PM

Anticipation. Affection. Genuineness. And a refreshing life-invigorating poem. The way you write this, I feel like I am right with you going through every nth.

"I see his perfect teeth gleaming—the only white, picket fence I need." is a cherish of a line, and will stay in my mind for a long long time, Jewels!

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 03/18/10 at 12:23 AM

I'm truly impressed with this piece jewels. Where to begin? Where to begin?...the effective use of three line stanzas, the +++ and ====== parts. All employed quite effectively in combination with the subject/theme/imagery....HOLY COW!

Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 03/18/10 at 01:57 PM

The anxious expectation grows as the train chugs along in this poem of keen anticipation and finally fulfilled hope! Great message of both hope and love!

Posted by Agnes Hall on 11/15/11 at 01:04 AM

Wow. Simply wow. There is so much passion and love and "reckless desire". Everything I like to hear about and understand through a well-written poem. Well done!

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