A Disturbing Train of Thought

The hypnotic thrum of the wheels Drumming smoothly along the tracks Inside the early morning hush Broken by the rare stifled cough The casual rustling of a newspaper And the whisper of sporadic conversation. A body slumped against the window Business papers being scanned Earpieces inviting oblivion to the outside world Anxious glances thrown at watches. The driver whistles quietly to himself Glad that soon his shift will be over Trees ,bushes,houses and bridges Slide past,silent observers of the passing scene. What is that?He stiffens The crucifixion shape on the parapet The manual did spell out such eventualities. Uselessly he slams on the brakes He glimpses the inward looking eyes The body glances off the windscreen The brakes screech and squeal And the acrid stench of burning flesh fills the air. The sickening jolt throws Everyone awake. Time grinds to a halt.