The Relationship

His train arrives at midnight

from a town you think you know.

He told you to meet him sharp at twelve

and you know you want to go.

So you take the dress you've been saving so long

from a closet of antique clothes.

You fix your hair and you paint your eyes 

and you wonder if he knows.

It's getting late and you're anxious now

so you hurry down to the door.

And you stop a moment to think about

all the times that went before.

Then you step outside and the night is cold

but you've already shut the door.

You've already shut the door.

Woman your road is a long way from home

and the night is so cold.

If you walk it tonight you will walk it alone

and just to be bold.

You arrive at the station before his train

and it's warm but so empty inside.

So you sit on a bench of hard wood and nails

and you wonder what you've done with your pride.

Now here comes his train like a stab in the dark

and you get up and walk to the door.

And then as a face appears in the dark

you wonder if maybe there's more.

Hello! How are you? And so forth is said

from a grin you can not defend.

Like a puppet, you lean on the strings too hard

and you know that this is the end.

Then he takes your hand and he leads you down

to the tracks where you've been to before.

But it's too late now cause' his train has come

and you've already shut the door.

© p. donovan