Poem about inner conflict: Mind the Gap

Photo by Ilyasick Photo at Pexels

Yahvi Khimasia journeys through the space where movement and stillness collide

Mind the gap between the train and platform.
Rain splatters onto the railway.
I wrap my scarf tighter,
protection from the outside world.
Inhaling the remnants of my perfume,
clinging to fibres,
my heavy eyelids drift shut,
stillness stretching in slow rhythm.
Until the boisterous whistle
snaps me back to reality.
Overworked wheels slam against cold metal tracks.
Heavy doors begrudgingly slide open,
engulfed by the humid, overcrowded carriage.
Sweat and aftershave fill my lungs.
I wait for my final stop, breathless.
A hazy blur of fluorescent light,
cold slamming against my cheeks.
Brisk strides down the platform,
the hum of the train softens into silence.
Boots echo on the ground.
I draw a deep breath,
let the air settle.
My pace slows
with the weight of what’s to come.
Mind the gap between the train and platform.