a behemouth hisses contempt, once shiney,
now glistens with soot and grime. counting
the miles and miles of hard-fought pulling
of yesterdays. tomorrows buried in a coal car

more beast than machine, a mere hand-touch
looses the iron-horses into a smoke-stampede
three stories high announcing the beginning
of another daily tug of war. power vs weight.

Kankakee, Shy Town, and Kalamazoo rails,
all call to the Engineer and Brakeman,
as the slipping, firm wheels repeatedly
cry in legato 'goin' home', 'goin' home.'

music to the railroaders' ears.

05/11/2010

Posted on 05/11/2010
Copyright © 2026 Charlie Morgan