The Train Driver

Of course,I read the manual. Who hasn't? Words,nothing but words Until it happens And then it is burned,branded and imprinted Graphically and indelibly Into your brain. Sleep brings the nightmare alive Again and again You witness it over and over In all its starkness There's no escape,no way out You can't stop the bloody train in time All you can do is spectate An unwilling and helpless participant By the time your eyes pick out The figure poised on the parapet Vulture like You are at the point of no return Slam on the brakes Jolt the passengers awake The body in crucifixion mode Glances off the cabin glass Pupils dilated and inward looking Staring within You stand frozen Unable to avert your gaze And then time stands still Journey and jobs disrupted Until the gruesome recovery Is complete But that frozen snapshot Haunts my memory Flashing up When least expected My albatross Seared into my mind Spitefully roosting And beyond oblivion Torturing my soul And draining My will to live.