Metro North Gothic — Overslept
oh the places you’ll go
by Joe Váradi
long day at the office
and an evening mixer
name tags and cocktail dresses
free booze and hors d’oeuvres
I’m barely awake as I
count the blocks to the station
floating past gilded marquees
and beneath coruscating spires
faux leather seats
brushed nickel handle bars
my stately carriage that
whisks me out of the city
the rhythmic hum
of grinding gears and
creaking car couplings
my sweet lullaby
familiar sounds
in my misty stupor —
White Plains, Valhalla
and I drift off
eyes peel open
how long has it been
the dark landscape outside
no longer familiar
exotic locales
Chappaqua, Mount Kisco
we certainly aren’t in
Kansas anymore
I could get off
but no, I keep going
Katonah, Goldens Bridge
let’s enjoy this
certainly one way
to see the North Country
there will always be
another train
Southbound
dedicated to my friend Shelley Kluger
more bizarre tales from the trains of New York City:
