how long how long has this train been gone was there a man who asked for me i thought he d wait to say so long i m later than i meant to be the station master closed his eyes said my dear the trains are gone though forty years ago this night the last train left for viet nam she said my hair is lit with gray no roses bloom upon my lips but seems like only yesterday he graced me with a lover s kiss then in the distance thunder pealed a whistle pierced the cricket s song and you could see the sparks and the wheels of the last train back from viet nam it stopped just long enough to board and as she ran time set her free a young man helped her through the door and said i knew you would wait for me there s many a young boy who won t come back many a young girl who waits alone sometimes they meet on life s long track they board that last train and go home