Mind The Gap Poem by John F. McCullagh

For years she took the morning train
from Auburndale to Penn.
Now the economy had turned cold
And her long run neared its end.

You need to get there early-
Parking's at a premium.
That meant for years she‘d risen
on the wrong side of 4 A.M.

For several years she'd lived
in the town house all alone-.
First separation, then divorce
once the children were full grown.

She'd poured herself into the job
with commendable devotion.
She'd brought much business to the firm
She deserved a big promotion.

The boss she had was hated.
“Barely competent” thought she
But his Uncle was Division head
-That's job security.

Now asked to go clean out her desk,
Her eyes welled up with shame.
Wouldn't it be simpler if she
jumped beneath the train

She saw the fiercely blinding lights
Of the oncoming train
She stepped and didn't mind the gap
Her decision had been made.

A rush of pain, then-nothing
No hint of light or sound
She never heard the ambulance-
The sirens crossing town

The folks who took the morning train
Would be quite late that day
Some old lady slipped and fell
And there was hell to pay.