sleeping beauty on the train

he watched her 

as she rested her head 

against the glass

eyes closed

on the central line train

keyed up and nervous

he could hardly contain 

himself, were his eyes deceiving

was he still breathing

was she really there, in front of him

after all these years, a glorious mirage

here she was sleeping beauty
sleeping truly on the tube,

sleeping like she used to
a thousand years ago

and here he was, sat opposite, just staring

the world around him was fast disappearing

time, it stood still and in silence he willed 

her to open her eyes and

every time they flickered

his heart leapt 

up, sleeping beauty, he whispered
in his mind, open your eyes
open your eyes, open your eyes
his whispers grew louder
and more desperate
open your eyes

open your eyes, open your eyes

-a hundred thousand tries-
open your eyes

open your eyes

open your eyes

then all of a sudden the train alighted

-he leapt up-
I must fight it

forever happened 

and it can't be undone

and if you can't open your eyes

it means I've become 

wholly irrelevant

-and just like that he departed-