Illustration by F Newsmagazine

The frost melts as the sun rises.

Once cold, dormant, shivering,

the world wakes up, warm to the day to come.

I feel my soul stir as the sun greets me each morning.

I see the daffodils nod their heads as my train speeds on.

I’ve memorized the moment when they will make their appearance.

I sit up in anticipation of seeing my companions –

Turning my head, craning my neck to hold them in my gaze as we rush by.

Months have passed since I made their acquaintance,

and months have passed since I saw them last –

Mornings and evenings spent in darkness,

Searching the window to find them,

But only finding myself.

Just as the flowers bloom and the birds

spread their wings to welcome in spring,

I prepare to fly home.

Finally over are the months of loneliness

spent riding the train with nothing and no one to see.

But I cannot stay.

I am unable to bear this beauty,

and feel the frost beginning to recrystallize in me –

Why do the flowers and animals and sun return

when I must go?

Then the plane takes off,

I leave this world behind

to soar amongst the shining clouds,

And I smile at the memories, fresh in my mind –

the sweet smell of blossoms on my walk to the train,

the horses and sheep and ducks I befriended on the farms,

And I’m grateful to all who returned to bid me goodbye.