a soldier waiting for a train

A soldier waiting for a train.

The soldier stands on the platform with his comrades as they await the arrival of the train. They are all wearing green berets with brown uniforms, and brown polished boots. They have their kit bundled in tog-bags and back-packs. They are stacked in heaps around the platform. The soldiers mill around in small groups, smoking and passing the time in idle conversation.

The soldier stands around on his own at the edge of the platform for a while. He looks down the tracks to where they disappear outside the station into the veldt. Then he looks at the tracks as they lead into the opposite direction. Here their path is obscured by the railway buildings. He stands in thought for a while as he looks down the tracks, and then he turns around and walks back to the bench where two of his close comrades are sitting. He takes in a seat next to them. "What's the time? he asks the soldier sitting next to him. "A quarter past five, comes the answer.

He calculates in his mind that the train would only arrive in about three hour's time. At just past eight tonight they should be on their way. He thinks of how long it will be until his next pass. Two and half months. Still a long time off. What would he do on his next pass? Oh, he had plans all right.

As he sits he ponders on these plans he has in mind for his next pass. He sits and waits for the train. He thinks of the girl. What is she doing? When will he see her again? He really loved her. She must love him too. He sits and waits, and listens too the casual conversation of his mates. The time drags by slowly.

He gets up again after a while and walks too the edge of the platform. He looks down the tracks to where they disappear into the veldt. Then he turns his head in the opposite direction to where the tracks disappear into the railway buildings. He stands in thought for a while. They are all still waiting for the train.

The End.

Copyright - JP Brown ' 30/12/2006.