The Steam Engine

I was riding the railway tracks of my fissures Deep into my darkest inner thoughts Lost and dying in the snowfall of my winter And back again From a mental anguish like a splinter Never slowing down to quench my thirst From a desire to be first And so you appeared... Mr. Coalman Power to you, Sir! And so I take the shovel of coal To start the steam engine and commence my travels Darker than the pistons you feed To master my trade I see the white in your eyes I smile at the glint exposed further down And continue like a rollercoaster... On through the tunnels On through the loops and slides The shovel never leading my hands With sweat soaking my shirt feet never leaving my boots Stubbornness of such single mindedness I want to extend my hand to say “Thank you! Thank you for everything For all the warm nights And safe journeys thus far Over undulating mountain sides and unstable bridges Just as you feed my fire On this scenic journey, A life still on track with the passengers I chose to bring along For the ride you steer in spite of my doubts and fears”