A Warning for the Railfan

If you would,
for just a moment,
imagine

Setting foot
on those
metal steps

Don't look behind you!
Do so and all will linger.
They are all on lookout.

When you sit in
that throne,
you will be able to see
the world
in all its glory
-forgetting.

When you look
through that window,
try not to look
at who's staring back because
there is nothing waiting
there for you.

Please,
promise me you will
look beyond that window,
for it surely gets cramped
up in
that attic.

Then, when you realize everything
is but a visit, I'm sure
you will never want to get off

But promise me you will, promise me,
because I know that what will haunt you
the most
is the forever
of it
all