The Train

I stepped upon the Train that day,
I watched as my Mother faded away,
I saw the wet glints in her eyes,
I watched how she tried not to cry.

I was heading to a country place,
where everybody knew every face,
where onlookers eyes looked at our clothes,
looked at the grime that covered us from our head to our toes.

I saw how people would stop and stare,
look at us as if they cared,
some of them would divert their eyes
and quickly say their short goodbyes to whom
that they were talking with before they saw us covered in grime and grit.

The country kids would laugh and stare
and point at us like we were'nt there.
I would smile and walk straight by,
I'd hold my breath so I did not cry.

The older ones would fight 'em back,
so of course We got the smack.

Oh by gosh,
It had been a shame,
Ever since We got on that wretched train.

By Michelle Bradley