58. Go North to Rome

I decided it was fate

The volcano exploded, the train was late

And I would have to be at the station waiting 8 hours.

I paid the cab driver to take me back to the hotel and I got on skype

And felt, it is time to go, no use prolonging the inevitable.

Ironically, nothing was available until after April 7, by departure date.

Oh but wait, there is one flight, if you can make the Thursday airport gate.

Yes, I’ll take it, called a cab and back to the train to go north,

Only cost me $35 to change, and it was all that it was worth!

No ticket office open at the station,

Just hop on board and pay with intention.

Six of us got on board and sat in the same compartment.

Some were rowdy young boys, flirting and talking to me,

One was quite but just stared as much as could be.

He asked me questions in Italian for he barely spoke English.

Me with my Italian tried to answer and he was fishing.

Conductor moved us to another first class cab

And a few hours later, approached Messina to drive the train on the ferry.

Then you are to wait on the train and not be daring.

But Mario grabbed my hand and led me off the train

And we ran through the tracks while men were yelling and complaining.

Up the ferry stairs, this way and that until we got to the top deck,

The boat was huge, the views were incredible as we ran to the bow neck.

He lifted me up to raise my hands in the ocean breeze

I felt like a scene out of Titanic and then he leaned in to give me a big squeeze.

As I got down, he planted a kiss with incredible passion

I thought my knees would buckle under the tension.

For the next ten minutes he was kissing me on my face and neck

I was feeling things I thought were over, but ignited again with a peck.

The barge was approaching the shores of Reggio

So back down to the train we had to sneak and go.

Sitting on the train next to him for the next ten hours

Was heaven and hell and it took all my power

To resist the temptation of getting off with him at Napoli.

He said to come with him he will get a hotel.

We will make love and then I can go.

To be young and foolish again, I thought about how I used to be,

Refused because I no longer want the quilt or the heartache in me.

I said no, but he still would not give up this time

Said he would follow me to Rome, we would eat and have wine.

He went to the conductor to get his ticket changed to Rome.

The conductor refused said he would have to get off at his home.

When Napoli came close, he asked for my phone number to call

Would run to the counter to get a ticket to follow.

I waited and prayed that he would not succeed

When I did that, I knew he was not what I needed,

He called as the train started to depart from the tracks

Ran to my cab window, pounded on the window, waved, blew me a kiss that he would be back.

I felt let down and yet relieved

I like the feeling of a man’s touch, but one that would never leave.

I had to change cars for my seat number changed

Sat next to a gentleman, which was more in my range.

We talked for the next two hours and he was brilliant and kind

I thought what a change, now this I don’t mind.

He and his wife are documentary producers by trade

And he told me of places to go in Rome while visiting the next few days.

We exchanged emails and he would contact me with a friend number

Of a Bed and Breakfast that I might check under.

It was ten at night and I didn’t have a hotel room booked

I ran across Marsala Street so I could take a look.

Found a Best Western that looked mighty nice

Booked for one night, because it was high priced.

Got in bed, took a hot bath, thanked God for helping me not make a mistake,

But mostly for protecting me all the risks I have taken.