So very sweet the strawberries that grow along the tracks
Children climb the fence to reap the hidden treasure.
Their delicate little fingers bloodstained by the fruit.
Their trespasses forgiven for the taste of Mother’s pie

Then they scramble as they hear the distant roar
Of the black iron monster chugging to the scene.
The creature roars and horns a desperate warning down the track
All the children know to listen and to run away in haste.

But for Sally it is her first picking
That is why she forgot her heavy basket by the rails
And that is why she suddenly stopped and turned around

The children screamed to her to stay
But the deafening monster’s blare caused Sally not to hear
And as she reached her hand out to reclaim the forbidden fruit
The monster swept her up and threw her crushed body into the ditch
By the tracks, by the “No Trespassing” sign.

The ambulance arrived quickly on the site but to no avail.
And little Sally was laid out on the ground.
Her delicate fingers still blood-stained, but no longer by the berries.

10/01/2007

Posted on 10/01/2007
Copyright © 2025 Don Matley