Sleep story · travel, cozy
The night train, after a difficult conversation — for a night when you do not want to think
Somewhere between two cities, in the dark, where nobody needs anything from you.
Reading it yourself. Back to the audio version.
The rhythm underneath you is steady enough to lean on. The train left a quarter of an hour ago, and the carriage has already settled into its own quiet. Your bag is wedged under the seat in front, out of the way of your feet.
The seat reclines one notch further than you expected it to. Every so often the wheels change their note as they cross a join in the rail. The heating is on low, and the air smells faintly of clean metal and old upholstery.
Feel the top of your head relax into the pillow. Let your tongue sit heavy in your mouth.
Feel the weight of the blanket on your legs. Let your toes stop holding on to anything.
There is one other person in this carriage, four rows up, asleep with a coat over their knees. Somewhere ahead of you, a door opens and closes with a soft, deliberate sound.
Notice how much of you has already stopped moving. Let your feet get heavy first. Heavier than they need to be.
Notice how you're sitting. Adjust if you need to. Then settle again. You might be planning something. Notice the planning, then come back.
Let the pillow take the whole weight of your head. Let your hands be completely still.
Let your attention settle somewhere low, like your feet. Let it all get further away.
Nothing needs deciding tonight. Let them. Let the quiet be boring.
Difficult conversations leave a residue. This is for the residue.
There is nothing more to follow. Let the rest happen on its own.