Santa Ana Train Station

In the dark recesses of the terminal
we waited for shadows to emerge
letting light fall on a face we recognized.
Grandpa carried a suitcase and a brown paper bag
his stay lasted two weeks 
then he headed back to San Diego.

When my sons were teens
we left the car in the parking lot
took off on our bikes for a 100 mile
trek. Stopped short and caught
the train in Del Mar, Rode back to the station
never taking that long bike trip again.

Wanted adventure outside the norm
boarded the train to Santa Barbra
celebrated our twenty-sixth anniversary
staying along the coast, taking the bus
to visit the mission and walking along the hills
eating at the Thai restaurant just past the zoo.  

One summer we planned a fieldtrip with the grand kids
caught the train in Santa Ana
rode along the back roads from here to L.A.
past storage yards and alley ways
saw overgrown paths with lots of bright graffiti
boldly painted on block wall fences and riverbeds.

Invited one son and his family
along the familiar route to L.A.
bumped along the railroad tracks
Santa Ana to Union Station then walked to Olvera Street.
Ate Mexican food amidst a fiesta to celebrate birthdays
but lost patience going home because of a train delay.

Plans are made to go again take the other son
and his family. Traveling along the familiar route
through the aging neighborhoods.
We’ve got to do it before we’re too old
travel the distance on our favorite ride.
aboard the Amtrak's famous railroad.