all aboard i, ii, iii

all aboard i

all aboard
blared the conductor

he tucked the luggage
settled in his seat
the train rumbled 
past the station
countryside
he thought
of things left behind
memories, smells,  people
unable to shake them

all aboard ii

back in the 9-5 whirl
past surfaced 
only with pain
routine dulled
and numbed
past aches
memories

all aboard iii

in palliative care
past pricks
intensity ceaseless
he wished
he had not 
boarded that train