Sifting Paths

He found enough money tucked between the desk & the wall to buy a few beers. The roommate would never miss it. He slid it into his pocket, grabbed his guitar case, left the bike chained outside & began walking. He crawled under a fence through high weeds into an old trainyard. An abandoned iron bridge split the sky apart. Furniture & firepits scattered near the base of it. On the horizon a gaunt tower with an antenna that flashed at the top. Cargo containers lined in two rows to the end of the field. Shadows weaving among them across the grass. He heard someone pacing on the other side & knew he would have to choose to either run or pay his greetings & continue on. The footsteps stopped. The other had heard him. He remained where he was & met the paunch guard's eyes with a hapless grin. Bowed & walked on. He heard no steps behind him & hopped over a brick wall, zipped up his jacket & then trotted along to the station with his case held in the air . He got on the train & stood near the doors, still breathing heavily. Baby, sleep beneath the tracks with me 'cause the Lord knows we ain't going anywhere. Feeling tomorrow like I'm feeling today. The river rolling beneath a terse coat of light. He set his head against the bar, tapping his foot. By the time he realized the ticket checkers had slipped in the car, it was too late to get off. The next stop was about a full minute away. He stayed there, eyes closed. They made their rounds quickly, everyone showing their tickets. One of them asked the kid sitting next to him & he opened his eyes. The kid fumbled around in his pockets, muttering under his breath. He didn't speak German too well & seemed to be stalling the checker. The next station was approaching & he leaned against the door, his finger on the button. The train stopped & he jumped off & scurried to the last car, riding all the way down to Warschauerstraße. Drink to the pounding heart, furious pulse. Lifted by grace before being dropped again.