Ever Jumped a Train - Part 8 - Robert and Ernie Adventures
As we reached the top of those stairs the sun was blazing,
Ernie peeked his head out of my pocket and screeched,
Robert, he said, I think I've gone blind, I can't see,
Just let your eyes adjust I said, you'll be alright friend.
Here I was, fifteen years old with two mice in my pocket,
One was Ernie, the smallest hobo who ever jumped a train.
Then there was Snowy, his new love cuddled next to him,
A cage being the only thing she'd known until that day.
She was free now but felt the danger her escape brought her,
Ernie was her hero and he knew he had big shoes to fill.
He ran up my arm and stood on my jacket collar under my ear,
Robert, he whispered, what the heck should I do now buddy?
Ernie, I said, have you given her a kiss and a hug yet?
Robert, he said, us mice don't kiss and we don't embrace.
I said, what do you guys do to express your true affections?
Well he said, we certainly don't pass around germs like you.
Come on Ernie, I said, haven't you ever heard of the plague?
No, he said, but I'm sure your quite prepared to tell me.
I said, it was the Bubonic plague and it killed millions.
Oh he said smartly, you mean that stuff rats carried around?
Robert, unless you haven't noticed lately, I'm not a rat.
Ernie, you're a member of the same rodent family you know.
Robert, I can promise you, I have no rat aunts or uncles,
But even if I did it was human uncleanliness that killed.
Keep in mind that rodents are actually very clean creatures,
Until humans came along this was quite a pristine world.
Suddenly Snowy appeared and told Ernie to stop talking,
Ernie I said, you mean you've already taught her to speak?
What can I say he said, I learned from the best didn't I?
Ernie, I said, you've also learned how to stop an argument.
Now listen I said, there's another train leaving the yard,
You and Snowy can get off now, because I'm going to jump it.
No way Robert, he said, so have you forgotten who I am?
I'm that littlest hobo you will ever know, and best friend,
Do you actually think I'd let you go on alone without me?
I smiled a broad grin and said I hoped you'd say that Ernie.
He said, Robert, it was you that gifted me with a name,
You have even blessed me with a beautiful one for Snowy.
You've saved my life more than one time my dear brother,
And you have mine brother I said, so let's jump that train.
(to be continued)
© Copyright 2014 Robert William Gruhn - All Rights Reserved
Copyright © Robert Gruhn | Year Posted 2014
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