Though it's no train along the Rhine, through the Alps or across the Danube, it still carries me away. When I sit on a train, I often have grand intentions of accomplishing something, but this is never the case. Novels aren't read, homework is never even started and knitting projects bore me quite quickly. I often end up staring out the window with beautiful music streaming through my headphones.
My mind begins to wander sometimes to the past and sometimes to places still unknown. As the sun begins to dip into the edge of the sky, my heart is at peace. I see images on this Northwest train right now that make me feel like I am on my way to visit Kristi in Kandern. The silhouettes of birds flying across a dusky sky framed by bare winter branches are a beautiful picture that can be seen anywhere in this expansive yet miniscule world.
Trains have most often been a place of solitude for me and I enjoy that. It is quite possible in fact that when I am rocking back and forth ever so gently as a train chugs along, my heart is most at peace. Planes are full of people in a hurry and often full of stress, sometimes fear even. Cars require responsibility and concentration. But trains...trains are a place to sit down and take life a little bit slower. They are a place to contemplate and imagine. They make me feel so free. As much as I wish this train would magically end up in Basel with my sister waiting at the opposite end, I'm quite happy to simply be her in car #9, seat 15. The homework will remain untouched and my soul will continue to be refreshed. I will soon be greeted by six beautiful women at the train station for a fabulous long weekend and, thanks to the train, it is already off to a very good start.
1 comment:
Oh, I wish it came to Basel! Love you, sister. Love trains. Love you.
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