Who Knows, Perhaps It Was

the train pulls in at some station at 4 o’clock in the morning
it stops for three minutes     it’s a small station
he crawls out of his bunk in the sleeping car
gets dressed     with this feeling
that he just has to get out     these
are three minutes in his journey
he can't afford to miss   really, all it means
is a bit of a walk along the platform
a chance to stretch his arms and legs
the platform is completely deserted
the air is charged with unfamiliarity
he walks the length of two carriages
such a long, long way
the pace of his steps getting faster and faster
the bell rings     he makes it back in time
and smiles a regulation smile
at the female train attendant
a woman with permed hair
these were three minutes
in his journey he couldn't afford to miss
who knows, perhaps
it was

WHO KNOWS, PERHAPS IT WAS