How could I worry about me? I am now struck— Struck by how much I loved her, And how through all the years, I never once said, I love you. I laughed with her. Supped and snacked with her. Listened to her. Suffered next to her. Dreamed of her. But—like my flesh and blood, I took her for granted— This woman who gathered me in, Through three decades and five, Sometimes as son, Sometimes as brother, Sometimes as a wise one. — Now, it's 3:30 a.m., Adrift in the emptiness of a parking lot I hear the distant whistle Of a night train crying Through the wind. The clack-clack-clack Rolling in the dark Carries me back Where these sounds once Wove themselves into her walls. Vibrations signaling I was trapped— Not in fear, But a refuge Walled from a troubled world For just a few minutes more. How I wish now— I wish I could be trapped one more time, Just for those moments. Not long— Just long enough to say: Thank you. I love you.