The Almost Midnight Train

My town is just a dinky burg, and I think that’s all right.
But the only train that stops here goes off late into the night.
It’s almost midnight when it comes, the passengers is few,
But we’re glad it stops at all, for havin’ no train wouldn’t do.

I had business in the city but my car was in the shop,
So I took the train that time, because the trip is quite a hop.
The trainman showed me to a seat, the others was all took;
My seatmate was a pretty gal, her nose was in a book.

We got to talkin’ softly, ’cause the rest was all asleep.
We shared about our stories, even feelin’s kinda deep.
I thought she sorta liked me, and my heart begun to throb.
She said she often took this train, ‘cause she traveled for her job.

The train got to the city and I had to disembark.
So I said goodbye, and sadly walked out into the dark.
I never got her address, and I didn’t git her name,
But I almost said, “I love you,” on the almost midnight train.

Some nights when I can’t get to sleep, to the depot I’ll walk down
To watch the almost midnight train when stoppin’ for our town.
I search the coaches’ windows, but my search has been in vain,
‘Cause I’ve never seen her watchin’ from the almost midnight train.

©2026 Richard Leonard