Train Trips and Lyrics

I awaken, but keep my eyes closed for a moment, savouring the remnants of dreams. I find myself wishing it was reality, wishing she was here.


Sighing, I open my eyes to find I'm not where I thought I was. The familiar sight of my ceiling has been replaced with a glass roof. I can see the stars. It's still dark; the light surrounding me is artificial.

Rising, I swing my legs off the bench where I've apparently been sleeping. The area around me is slowly being recognised by my tired brain. It's the train station. And it's empty.

I sigh again, with my head between my legs. All of a sudden, I hear a hiss. Looking up, I see a train. I must not have heard it arrive. Strangely, no one gets off, not even the usual wardens. I sit there, in the empty train station, staring at the empty train. I get the feeling it's beckoning me, calling out to me. On a whim, I respond by standing, walking the few paces between myself and the open doors, and entering. The doors hiss shut behind me.

The train is just as empty as the station. There's no one there; the seats are all empty. I sit. No warden comes to collect my fare.

Looking out the window, I can see it's dark. I don't notice anything else. I can't see anything else, just the dark, empty night outside of this empty train.

Glancing around the carriage once more, my eyes land on something I didn't see earlier. It's an acoustic guitar, not unlike my own, resting against one of the seats. Curious, I give into temptation and wander over to it. Picking it up, I give it a strum. The tone is full, clear, louder than it should be.

Not really knowing why, I start to play. The carriage fills with sound, with music, but it lacks meaning, it lacks a melody. So I sing.

I don't know what I'm playing, or singing, but it's beautiful. My voice joins with the guitar, and it resounds through the carriage. It's the most amazing, indescribable sound I've ever heard. I've never played like this before.

The words flow from my mouth freely. They're new, unfamiliar, but they fit perfectly.



"All for you,

Everything I do,

Seems to be for you,

It's how I want to be,

For you."



As I sing, the darkness outside recedes, slowly being replaced by the light of a full summer's day. I see people walking down streets, holding hands. A family at a playground, smiles and laughter. A young boy running after his dog, laughing with joy.

I continue to play.



"And I count down the hours,

Till I return to you."



Couples hugging, friends laughing. Happiness everywhere.

The train stops.

The doors hiss open.

I continue to play as I walk out of the doors and into the sunlight.

She's there, a smile on her beautiful face.

I put the guitar down and run into her open arms.

And I sing the last line of my song.

"I love you, only you."

I'm happy once again.

And As You Walk Away

As I open my eyes, the world forms around me. The night sky above me, the damp grass under my back. Sitting up, I look around. I recognise where I am. It's the local school. The place is empty, as it usually is at this time of night.
I stand up, start to walk around. Why am I here? I think to myself. Suddenly, a voice calls out from behind me.
"Ashm," the voice is quiet, weak. Turning slowly, I face the person behind me. It's a female, that's for sure. But she has no distinguishable features, no way to recognise her. Her face is blank, expressionless. Her hair has no colour that I can determine, it changes smoothly, rapidly.
"Who are you?" I ask. The girl doesn't reply, she simply turns and walks away. The state that I am in, I am aware of everything. Figures flash around me, cold, a weeping face with bleeding mascara, lonely youths with acoustic guitars. The world is filled with noise, colour, and life. The girl continues to slowly walk away. My need to follow suddenly increases. I take a step forward, and the chaos disperses. Silence.
I am in a field of headstones, crumbling away. As she walks away, through the headstones, grains of stone reverse, float up, rebuilding the headstones, perfecting their ruin.
Another step forward. The headstones disappear. She is getting further and further away. Throwing caution to the wind, I run after her. She turns again, facing me. Now her face is beautiful, composed of all the pain, hurt, and love in my life. I stop in my tracks. Her long, brown hair flows in the sudden wind.
It all goes black. I hear her voice again, calling out through the dark.
"Hindsight. It's a beautiful thing, it shows successes and mistakes, fear and love."