Who are you, lonely traveller?
What secrets do you hold that I do not know?
Where is your destination? Unknown?
I’ll paint your picture as you watch the horizon.
A vision of intrigue, not law-abiding.
Do you traverse the pavements of the night?
Find solace in dark corners?
You, the absent wanderer.
The aged empty space of a misplaced wedding band.
Do you search for them or run from them?
Does your past frighten you more than your future?
There’s hope there, behind your faded grey eyes.
I saw it as you boarded.
Someone helped you with your bags and it was as if for a moment good had returned to the world.
You didn’t hold it too long,
You don’t hold it often.
You lost it or, or sent it away, and you refuse it’s return.
As I question you, take comforted knowledge knowing we are steadfast to Reading.
The train will reach its destination, that much is known.
Writing Exercise: make someone near you a character in your piece.
All work is my own, please seek permission before use.
Jennifer Pickering 