The Train Not Taken (Poetry)

She had planned to catch the eight-fifteen
but fate so contrived to make her late —
traffic lights on red stayed shy of green
no jumping lanes or sneaking between.
Just as she got there, they closed the gate.

The train pulled away — she watched it — vexed.
The departure board warned of delays —
staff shortages — no driver for the next.
She’d miss the meeting — best send a text
and blame whoever runs the railways.

Chill, brown waiting room — no warmth to cheer.
Old magazines, one glum traveller
remarking how the day was drear —
such a nuisance to be stuck in here...
The while they talked, his eyes smiled at her.

Not on her agenda, this event
led other ways — she became his wife —
the future’s journeys shared — glad times spent
musing how things happen — was it meant?
One train not taken changed her whole life.