The East Coast Mainline

Northallerton platform high up,
exposed.
Trains thunder through, not all of them
stopping.
The wind whips round the small shelter,
chilling.
Morning sunlight dawns sluggish,
delayed.
Newly bought ticket in her glove's   
a barb.

'Two hundred and eighty five pounds
return.'
'To cross London by Undergound,
six more.'
Cost of representing ' The North '
down south.
Train's running late. She sits sipping
hot tea,
dreaming of places she could reach
for less.

Morning coffee on the Amstel.
Dundee.
A weekend break, half board, for two
in Bruges.
Three flights to Exeter and back,
on time.
Scilly Isles, to breathe narcissi.
Alsace 
for the best part of seven days'
retreat.

Today, before they board the train 
southbound,
passengers know they'll surely miss
kick-off 
at their meeting. They don't complain,
just brace
themselves to wait. Avoiding stress,
resigned,
these commuters conspire t'arrive
cheerful.

©Janet Henderson 22nd November 2016