Standing Alone Behind the Gate (By Dane W. Fowlkes)

Freight train gliding north by moonlight,
For many nothing more than distant dissonance
Interrupting night peace for sleeping.
But some will stop to listen and to dream,
Carried north to locations unknown and persons unmet.
Far from disturbing noise,
The clacking rhythm of northbound train conjurs music
Unheard by common ears.
Melody of longing, rhythm of hope, sad cadence of mourning--
Emotions of the freighted night.

Standing alone behind the gate
And separated from the sight and sound by years long wasted--
Longing, hoping, mourning--more profound than before,
Leaving nothing to do but nothing.
Freight train gliding north by moonlight,
Standing alone behind the gate.