soon begins the raucous cycle of detraining and boarding. conductors pass rapidly up and down the aisles.
brakes hiss, metal stairs greet the ground with a sharp clunk, as do suitcases with a dull thud.
the relief of arrival is filtered through several disgruntled mutters about all the delays.
Last call, Petersburg Virginia, last call.
the horn roars, the train rocks slowly away from the station.
there is a strange silence in the experience of aloneness, a silence that persists even when the urgent sounds of the world erupt all around you.
just listen for yourself.