The Ten Thirty

MIDNIGHT.

5 min until tomorrow.
Excuse me Miss. can I please borrow.
A pen to write my thoughts down.
Tomorrow is a big day for me and today was filled with sorrow.
At midnight it will all be washed away.
Mistakes from last year are erased tonight when the clock brings forth a new day.

THE TEN THIRTY

At the train station purchasing my ticket.
This moment is so exciting and I take my seat.
Finally all aboard and I'm off to visit.
Finally bought a pass and I'm off to find my spirit.
I feel so good, now that I took a sip of my go to sleep liquid.
In the morning after MIDNIGHT I'll start to dream about spreading butter on warm biscuits.

MIDNIGHT ON THE TEN THIRTY

Eleven 58 and the view outside my cabin window is breath taking.
Moonlit sands give the impression of nature glowing.
As fate would develop its a full moon and my hands are shaking.
I'd really like to smoke but I'll have to wait until the next stop and my anxiousness is growing.
In a good way.
Finally getting far away.
New Mexico is slowly on the track to being lost to my past.
It's a one way path and what I thought was mine was never meant to last.
At last I can see a future on the horizon.
I'm finally leaving the clutches and the terrible life choked by that Evil Titan.

GALLUP

The last stop as I leave my home state.
I step off the train and light my cigar.
Something natural about this train ride and I feel great.
Matches strike the book and I inhale tobacco to ease emotional scars.
Even the wind is blowing west.
Arizona is where I'll have lunch and give my mind some rest.
I walk around the platform, spread my arms and lean my head back.
This wind is all I need to carry me off and never look back.

WINSLOW

Exit the train and the sky is blue as blue can be.
White clouds and all the beautiful greenery.
Families here to greet their visitors.
Tourists and all the people with the stamina of inquisitors.
I grab my bag and turn my hat.
Looking forward to checking into La Posada and stretching my legs for a nap.
But first I'm off to the local diner to get a meal.
I pick the one I like and crush the cigar on my heel.
Sit at the counter and get the fried chicken special.
Have a flirty conversation with the waitress and she tells me, " I feel comfortable with you even though I just met you."
"It's your first time in Winslow I can tell."
It's nice to meet you beautiful lady and she knows I've been through hell.
"How long are you in town and say you're alone."
"If you wait for me to clean up and turn off all the lights"...
I interrupt and tell her I'd love to have a drink with her and enjoy all her delights.
She tells me she's recently widowed and is not interested in a man, only the conversation and the company maybe hold my hand.
I tell her I'm no debaucherous man, I too have lost a life and would enjoy the touch of her hand.
As I lean back she takes my plate.
Brings me a lemonade and says she'll hurry it's not a long wait.

AFTER THE MEAL

We smile at each other when she locks the door.
It's a sign of trust and we need not doubt each other any more.
She asks if I'd like to accompany her to the store.
She has a 17 yr old and doesn't know if he's eaten since she left home.
He's old enough to cook for himself but rather bite peaches and apples to the core.
I'm visiting and I'll walk with you anywhere I remind her once more.
She tells me I'll like her home and she'll whip up something fast with ingredients from the store.
I'm looking through her family pictures when she starts to pour.
Freshly squeezed orange juice at a table set for four.
Her Husband and Daughter died on last winter on a trip up north.
Now it's just the son and her at the table meant for four.
Her Son opens his bedroom door.
My mother doesn't bring men home so who you are I'm not sure.
I introduce myself and ask him if that's his pick up outside, the Ford.
He tells me it was his dad's but now it's his and his voice is torn.
"Chicken noodle soup" his mom hollers from behind the kitchen door.
"We're off to you're uncles bar and grill in case you worry about me and this stranger in your home."
She reaches out for my hand and says "c'mon let's go".
I place my palm in her palm and tonight is one to remember this I know.

CONVERSATION AND A FEW DRINKS

Finally we walk somewhere I can open the door.
After you nice lady and I watch her go by.
The host greets us and asks "table for two?".
No, we'd like to try a few drinks in a booth.
We sit so close to each other and our shoulders and thighs are touching.
We face the live music and are troubled by nothing.
We smile, we sip, and we bond.
We laugh, we touch, and the music plays on.
We lean into each other and whisper in each other's ears.
Our breath smells like alcohol and bubble gum.
We're strangers but of each other have no fears.
It's a fate filled friendship and tonight we will wipe each other's tears.
Time fly's when having fun.
Last call and the night has come and gone.
I ask her if I can walk her home but she wants to enjoy us until dawn.
Walk with me to my hotel I ask.
She replies, "let's call a taxi and get there fast.".
In the back seat we kiss and we laugh.
In the back seat we fall into each other's traps.
We make it to the room and it's a blur.
Some memories stay with me and every once in a while they reoccur.
Two adults and no feelings were hurt.
I'm so happy I stopped of in Winslow Arizona and enjoyed a night with her.

NOON TO KINGMAN

In the morning I open my eyes and she's not there.
No note, no nothing, not even the smell of her hair.
I shower and I wonder if I should stop by for breakfast.
I smile in the shower, last night was like an early October Fest.
Walk up to the counter in the lobby.
The clerk gives me a note left by her and I read it while drinking my coffee.
She's happy we met but her heart isn't up for more.
Last night was much needed for her heart that's torn.
She asks that I please avoid stopping by.
She not for a sentimental goodbye.
Let's just be what we are.
Friends that found each other in passing on an amazing night under the stars.
I nod my head in agreement.
What a wonderful lady, she deserves the best treatment.
Take my last sip of coffee and I tighten my belt.
I'm off to the train station to catch the noon to Kingman and forget what I felt.
Winslow was intriguing and memorable.
I had a really good time in general.