The rain that once ascended

Following the rising smoke I step forward with empty pockets

With my fingers brushing through reeds I look for ground to place the next foot taking small careful steps

Strangely the smoke does not draw any nearer

Watching it ascend before my eyes I widen my gaze even more

There is nothing unseen if I keep my eyes open wide and turn my head diligently I can secure my field of vision

Then from far away the sound of a train echoes

I run toward the black iron horse exhaling smoke asking it to wait just a moment

Saying I came from very far away after seeing that smoke

The train accelerates

A man wearing a bread shaped cap filled with piled coal his face covered in black ash

He hears my shout briefly frowns and looks in my direction for a moment

Then closes his eyes again shovels coal pours it back shovels again pours again

Thinking it is all over he shuts his eyes tilts his head and stretches

Small drops of water spill onto his face

Water gathers around his closed eyelids

Rain strikes his face evenly without warning and he chooses not to wipe it away but to let it fall

What was leaving comes closer I am drawing closer to what departs