Are They

are they holding up the train
we wondered, waiting in the rain
smiling, trying to make

the best of things again
it seems so long
that we've been standing

in the mist and fog
under the overhang
not hearing the train bells clang

the steam roll in
and packed and ready to go
with overshoes for the snows

a tin of comfits and a silver ring
a pale footprint and a wish to sing
if only we could remember the words

oh soon they will come
you turn to say
I turned around and it was day

and you were gone.
it's been so long
are they holding up the train we said

hungry and wishing for tea and toast
when you were you and I was me
not knowing we were ghosts.

mary angela douglas 25 september 2017