a moment of truth

in the quiet afternoon each rumble of the train
vibrates in rhythm with an excited heart
not knowing that this marks the newest start
of a life measured in both stress and strain
but now there may be a chance to do things plain
each place has been a sojourn in no part
of land or building was there stake or chart
of more than passage mere shelter from the rain
dignified it is true by old and honoured name
but not possessed not held not to be defended
with life and force a mere transitory scrim
against raw nature no cause given for blame
when no security that could not be ended
at will but now the heart rises and the eyes dim