Hopeful Hills

Red rock territory up ahead Cheerful engineer Train’s brakes making horrible sounds We begin slowing down Oohs and ahhs I look out the window The Dakotas are like nothing I have 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 seeking a new life for myself. Escaping an abusive husband. My parents told me to return to him. Jim was wealthy. I had fabricated my story to this unknown stranger. 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.