At the Station

On a hot and humid morning I saw my mother off on a train For some reason she didn’t look for me again She was busy talking to the old Ladies Particularly the one sitting next her All dressed in her Sunday best Talking as if they knew each other for forever. They were going away Waiting for the train to depart Murmur of voices Signs of excitement There were others on the platform Milling around Patiently waiting Suddenly the conductor called out All aboard Door closing with a thud Train slowly chugging out of the station It had rained the night before Mindlessly I studied my reflection in the wet pavement Dampness evaporating In the summer heat. I waited on the empty platform Alone Wondering what to do next It happened so fast But then again it happened so slowly And now she was gone.