I board the train, exhale the weight,
Another semester, another slate.
The world outside just rolls on by,
A steady rhythm, a lullaby.
Then the door slides open slow,
Heavy boots with a steel-toe glow.
Metal on metal, a clanging sign,
A rider who knows the curve of the line.
Checked, Noted, Approved!
He drops his bag, takes the seat,
Denim worn, dust on his feet.
A book in his hand, a glance, a nod,
I whisper inside, "Don't make this odd."
Checked, Noted, Approved!
Not a showpiece, not for style,
Those boots have walked a hundred miles.
Not reckless, not too tame,
Something about him—can't place his name.
Checked, Noted, Approved!
Oh-oh, the train rolls on,
Oh-oh, two drifters, one song.
Dog hair, leather, stories untold,
Sparks on steel, fast and bold.
"Your book, 'Gene Blade'—
tell me do you like that stuff?"
I blink, caught in his gaze.
"You... know 'Gene Blade'?"
Checked, Noted, Approved!
"Didn't take you for a science mind."
"Didn't take you for the riding kind."
"Yet here we are, gears and chains."
"Yet here we are, mapping the strains."
"I ride fast, but I check real slow."
He taps my book, then gives a wink,
Points at my head—"You're in sync."
Fingers to his temple, "Bright, I think."
Then lasers at my screen, "Your dogs? The link!"
Oh-oh, the train rolls on,
Oh-oh, two drifters, one song.
Dog hair, leather, stories untold,
Sparks on steel, fast and bold.
A pause, a thought, then he speaks,
"I know a road, past the peaks."
"Twists like science, sharp and tight."
"I bet you'd cut it left and right."
I laugh, first time in days,
A game of minds, a dance, a maze.
I brush my hair, a subtle cue,
He catches it, leans in too.
Mmmmh, he makes me smile!
Checked, Noted, Approved!
Oh-oh, the train rolls on,
Oh-oh, two drifters, one song.
Dog hair, leather, stories untold,
Sparks on steel, fast and bold.
The station nears, our time runs thin,
He stands, I stand, a moment within.
He smirks, "So, genius, dinner or maybe a ride?"
Stand by stand I speak to him
If YOU can handle the RIDE.
"If YOU can handle the RIDE.
Checked, Noted, Approved!
Oh-oh, the train rolls on,
Oh-oh, two drifters, one song.
Dog hair, leather, stories untold,
Sparks on steel, fast and bold.