End of the Line

Kate Wolfe 

“I hear the train a’ comin’
it’s rollin’ round the bend…”
sounding its mournful whistle
far away inside the lonely night
saying goodbye as it’s off to places
she’s never been
nor ever will
though she’d like to “be gone
500 miles when the day is done”

she’s a soul who wanted to roam
“like a rollin’ stone”
but fate had other plans
for this old disillusioned woman
so here she stands
on this unkind plot of land
a house, a yard
a solitary life
all hers and hers alone to tend

though…

she wonders sometimes
if anyone would miss her
if, like in times of yore
with nothing but
the clothes she’s wearing
and a small backpack
she becomes “Queen of the Road”
and rides that train to
the “End of the Line”

©2026 Kate Wolfe
(Reworked older poem.)

Featured image via Pixabay.

9 thoughts on “End of the Line”

  2. Ah, an existential meditation and self-examination… I suspect that most of us have entertained similar reflections… I think I noticed the names of several country tune titles interspersed through the poem, yes? Beautifully done, by the way…
    The video was excellent as well. I recognized Petty, Dylan, and Harrison… didn’t recognize the drummer though…; -)

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    1. The drummer is Jim Keller, a session musician; Jeff Lynne of ELO (love their song “Don’t Bring Me Down”) was the guy with sunglasses and beard who sang; Roy Orbison was symbolized by the rocking chair with the guitar in it (he was part of the band before his death). They have quite a few songs I like on YouTube. One song referenced in my poem is Dylan’s. I think I told you before that throughout my life, I’ve listened to both rock and country. Don’t have a favorite genre, but I don’t like much of the music that’s been put out in the last 10-15 years. There are a few exceptions, though.

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      1. My musical tastes are also eclectic. There are songs and larger musical pieces that I love in many different genres. I was only aware of the Traveling Wilburys first album, which included Orbison. I agree with you concerning most of the ‘modern’ music… but I have heard a few that I do like… nothing that I can point to this year, though…; -)

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      2. Same here.
        Give a listen to The Handsome Family’s “Far From Any Road”

        and tell me what you think. Also Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds featuring P. J. Harvey singing “Henry Lee.” I don’t know what genre either’ music would fall into, but I like listening to both.

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      3. My, you certainly do seem to like ‘macobre’ romance…; -) I listened and do like them, but was disappointed with the production of ‘Far From The Road’ because the ecco effects made understanding the lyrics very difficult… had to look them up to clarify what the song was saying… but again, I did like it, found both of the songs captivating…; -)

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      4. I’m glad you enjoyed them. “My Sister’s Tiny Hands” and “The Bottomless Hole” are two others of The Handsome Family I’m particularly fond of. Also Nick Cave’s “Where the Wild Roses Grow” he does with Kylie Minogue.
        What can I say, Liam…I like weird. Lol

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