9 Long Years Poem by Kevin Patrick

Another noon's sets when the train comes round
trudging down tracks over ploughed motor clouds
over spectrum of engines and whispering roars,
Sing hopes arrival with the next open door

Across from the town, from the long road you came
travel by morning, same route everyday
On pebble paths, and unmarked dirt roads
Carrying scratched paws but joy in toes

Now Tokyo midday returned from its trip
tail wagging with glee, heart tripping and skips
Onlookers fidget, for their next of kin
You wait on the platform, as smoke piles in

Here comes the whistle that hollers and shouts
Next are the doors where commuters rush out
Wives kiss their husbands coming home from work
old friends band together with secretive smirks

and you race through crowds, joy piqued in your ears
a ray of delight as happiness draws near
next one could be him, filed out from the coaches
until the last one is out and loneliness approaches

Perhaps it will be different tomorrow
and you won't have to walk home with sorrow
So you shuffle on down back to the tracks
listening to emptiness of retreating smoke stacks

And morning brings her light, and you start anew
Crossing through fields, and mottled plains dew
Through winter and summer, sunshine or rain
Loyal to the last for that one shining ray

Then days become months, and months turn to years
pelt turns gray and pace slackens in its gears
Harder to sprint, but you make it to the race
Waiting with faith for one last time to see his face

9 long years and I'll be waiting for you
stand on the platform wind blowing blue
Around the happy faces, waiting for my time
Even on that day I know I'm going to die

9 Long years, and I will never let you go
Blessed by faith on the unbroken road
If I don't see you again, when this kingdom comes
We'll be together under the undying sun