Train

Oh no! Train again!

Perched upon parallels of steel,
You roll your way on heavy wheels.
Thundering through town
With a rhythmic rattle and clickity-clack.
Your deep throat rumbles diesel black.
Cars convey a cargo of corn syrup,
Commuters and coal.
You are an ant trail of steel
Packing prizes from a picnic port.
You are the artery of America’s life blood.

--Four full sets of dominoes 
Laid in one long row.
--A segmented serpent
Slithering on shining steel.
--A bright-eyed Cyclops screaming in the night,
Awakening children with a fright.
--A termite traveling through boroughs
Beneath the “Big Apple”.

You are the canvas of gangland graffiti
And ferry for freight hoppers
Who dare to hitch a ride.

A network linking limits sea to sea.
Now, rattle past, and make it fast.
I’ve places I should be.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013


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Date: 3/28/2013 10:01:00 PM
Ray, I'm stopping by to say hi, and wish you an early Happy Easter, just in case I don't have time to stop by in the next few days. take care and have yourself a good one~ Always & Forever *LINDA"
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Date: 3/14/2013 1:29:00 PM
As if the signal gates have lowered, and I'm sitting while my car idles watching those cars with grafitti fly by my eyes! Love the vivid images!!
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Date: 3/12/2013 11:35:00 PM
wow, what amazing metaphor and images in this one. VERY nice one, Ray. Keep up the poems like this one!
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Date: 3/8/2013 10:00:00 PM
You've captured the hustle and bustle of going on and off trains excellently! Love the descriptions given in the second stanza... some real original ones that I've never read before. Someday I wish to go on a train myself... Another great piece of writing...
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Dillard Avatar
Ray Dillard
Date: 3/8/2013 10:39:00 PM
You've made me smile ; ) again.
Date: 3/7/2013 3:52:00 PM
Excellent, Ray. Congrats. Nice going. Ralph
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Date: 3/7/2013 8:12:00 AM
Ray, well done, I love the four sets of dominoes, great metaphors....David
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Date: 3/7/2013 2:18:00 AM
Congrats Ray on your well deserved win. Connie
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Date: 3/6/2013 9:45:00 PM
Dear Ray congrats for this awesome win.
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Date: 3/6/2013 9:35:00 PM
RAY, ;-) congratulations with your awesome win, in my contest. always~ LINDA
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Date: 3/4/2013 10:41:00 AM
this is truly wonderful poetry, also very nostalgic for me
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Date: 3/1/2013 3:11:00 PM
Great job..I especially like the second stanza..BG
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