Research truly scientific, proves that trains are soporific

Schoolgirls uniformed and polite

Smartly turned out, neat and bright.

Finding a seat they are relieved

A pleasant journey guaranteed.

The bench seats thrust them face to face

No sharing glances across the space.

Each in a universe alone

Burrowing into their book or mobile phone.

A hard day’s work routinely done

A tiger mum behind each one.

School achievement beyond measure

Is naturally every family’s treasure.

School, tutoring and cramming centre

The aim a university to enter.

An education won with stress and tears

Will build a life for future years.

The rocking rhythm of the train

Triggers relaxation in the brain.

Research truly scientific

Proves that trains are soporific.

Outside the world just gliding by.

Inside they hear a lullaby.

Creating sleep as soon

As mother’s heartbeat in the womb.

Despite the power of the modern device

To keep from sleep these timid mice

Their concentration slips away

And the ancient urge to sleep holds sway.

But these girls challenge troubles steadily

And resist the closure of eyelids weighing heavily.

Fighting oblivion, humanity’s existential game

They snap their heads up but soon nod off again.

Finally they yield, tense no more

Minds cast off from the shore.

Their souls sink gently down

And in the limpid river Lethe they drown.

Now the child exhausted sleeps

While Morpheus o’re her innocence weeps.

Her mind’s eye softly embracing

The troubles and joys of the day retracing.

The sleeping schoolgirls droll

From side to side like dozing puppies loll.

Heads on neighbours’ shoulders flopping

Who, kind souls, ignore this effrontery shocking

At their destination the spell breaks and they awake.

Unruffled, unhurried, unconscious of any mistake.

They descend as if innocent of intimacy random

For Japan’s trains are made for sleep’s sweet abandon.