The Eternal Passenger

I found a seat by the window side Ticket in hand for a changing life They said, “All aboard,” I stepped inside Watched the platform drift from sight The carriage hummed like a lullaby Soft lamplight and steady lines Every stop had a waiting door I said, “Not yet there’s something more” Fields turned gold, then grey, then green Faces changed like passing scenes Some got off with a wave goodbye Some held on, but not like I I learned the names of towns I passed Memorized what didn’t last Every station felt almost right But I stayed seated every time I’m the eternal passenger Riding rails that never end Every stop a chance I missed Every “maybe” just a bend I told myself the best was next Just one more mile, just one more sign But the view kept changing all around While nothing changed in me inside Now the glass reflects my face Older eyes in the same old place Empty seats where laughter stayed Ghosts of lives I never made The conductor doesn’t speak my name Still the rhythm stays the same And somewhere deep I start to see This train’s been carrying me I’m the eternal passenger Riding rails that never end Every stop a life I left Every door I didn’t step in I told myself the time would come When I’d know the perfect sign But the world kept turning without me While I was waiting on a line What if there was no perfect stop? What if I missed it years ago? What if every open door Was all I needed to know? The brakes come soft the lights grow dim A station calls from somewhere in For the first time, I feel the ground Before I even step down I’m not just a passenger If I’m brave enough to stand Maybe every passing stop Was a place to start again I don’t know if this is right I don’t know what waits outside But the train has slowed and something’s changed For the first time I might try The doors slide open I rise slow One foot forward I don’t know Maybe this one is mine