A New Life

Red rock territory up ahead Cheerful engineer Train’s brakes made horrible sounds We began slowing down Oohs and ahhs I looked out the window The Dakotas were like nothing I had ever seen I never dreamed of red hills like this Are we there? I asked the man sitting across from me. No, but we are closer, he told me. He was coming out for gold. California was our destination. I was coming out to seek a new life for myself. To escape an abusive husband. I had fabricated my story to him. Pretended to be widowed. Now to figure out a new name. One I would answer to. The red mountain gave me hope. Fresh start. Fresh air. A new day. A new everything.