A Vertical Consideration
The black slurry sound of coal lifted by a shovel
As it enters the locomotive mouth of fire
Consumed in flames as well on dark gray days
Is advised and necessary for movement forward
In any event the heat and cold are secondary
To other pressing matters of formal conversation
Not worth mentioning as life goes off the rails
Carriages slip into oblivion when leaving the tracks behind
With snow no longer pushed aside, blindly from side to side
No longer facing horizontally as trains are known to go
Coaches fall and with them people's laughter
Vertical movement seems peculiar at times like these
Locomotion in the snow in total free fall seems obscene
Passengers did not sign up for going off the bridge
Surely a refund is in order when disappointed
Ending in ravines was not foreseen
Not exactly the adventure anticipated for this ride
Certainly not the destination they surmised
We are sure the engineer will have an explanation
If he and others should survive
Copyright © Earl Schumacker | Year Posted 2018
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