THE SOUNDS OF AN OLD TRAIN

The rumble of iron
Against heavy steel,
The high-pitched whine
Of brake against wheel,
A rocking steady rhythm
While running fast or slow,
Friendly laughter heard
At each town's busy Depot.
Passengers tell of exciting places
They will go.

We can hear the sounds of workmen
Loading heavy freight,
A loud "clank"
When the conductor closes the platform gate.
He yells "All aboard'',
Then retreats to paper work and sipping hot coffee
In the train's red caboose.
We strain to hear the echo
Of a lonesome whistles blow.
Put our ear to the track for a train
That no longer will go.
Somewhere,
The old engine sits silent
In a field of yellow and green,
Pine trees growing tall
Around this haunting scene.
Birds roosting in the fire-ravaged cab
Sing us a sad refrain,
The only sounds heard now from this old train

By Reggie Anne Walker-Wyatt c.2001