The leaves are on the wind tonight
the city grinds and hums
I cat tongued to pass through the glow

of sodium lights on a concrete wall
through the factories and railroad tracks
through shopping carts and trash

where bottles broke in fits of mirth
where weeds spring forth from trampled earth


my mouth is sewn my hands are bound
my dreams are cased in stone
my memory in charcoal draws a flower


the wind is blowing through the trees
casting leaves upon the night

a train is passing through the yard
pulsing light between its cars
and from each box car's passing door

a ghastly vision peers
it sends a tremor through my skin
for in each car I see again


specter watching from beyond
that's bound to ride like me

reappearing in each passing car
it's eyes sunk in like dying stars


and wherefore has this vision come
that none should see but me
it's face like what my mirror shows

displays my fate from choices chose
fate not sealed not carved in stone
still a different path it excludes

choices yet to make with trains
to ride or lay down on the main


I feel a chill like shards of rime
and light a cigarette
I shudder because freedom found

and maybe it's time to leave this town

so puttin' out my cigarette

I take my pack up from the ground
in the wind that blows before a rain
the fated one runs toward a train