Ever Jumped a Train

Ever Jumped A Train?

I have and it took me on a ride I'll never forget,
A journey like no other I have ever taken.
Traveling along those rails in open door box car,
Watched beauty of many states and this trip was free.

A steady clacking sound and that sway rocked me to sleep,
Then that first morning I awoke to sunrise in the Sierras.
I felt closer to heaven than ever before at that moment,
Here I was on giant steel wagon with iron horse pulling me.

On my own private grand tour of this land I truly love,
No other summer vacation would ever be able to top this.
Knew I was getting away with something but not sure what,
Was so young never thought I was doing anything wrong.

On my third day heard a squeak I hadn't noticed before,
Pulled aside an old crate and he blinked up at me.
He turned out to be a little mouse I later named Ernie,
That new tiny friend was welcome and didn't eat much.

I told Ernie that day how lucky he was to take this ride,
Because many citizens would never see America like this.
He loved to sit up on my knee and take in the view,
Never saw his eyes get any bigger when we crossed Rockies.

We both would hide behind his crate in each train yard,
One time he started squeaking and we almost got caught.
Of course in another yard I sneezed and Ernie saved me,
He ran into plain sight squealing and distracted them.

I really did want to take this trip alone at first,
Little did I know I'd find my smallest friend ever instead.
Still let me tell you that mouse stood large as life,
He even squeaked when he didn't want me to miss something.

Would have missed most of Wyoming if he hadn't woke me,
It was pretty weird at first waking to that squeaky alarm.
Still he loved the warmth of my flannel lined sleeping bag,
He appreciated good accommodations and I his wake-up service.

One day we watched a far off tornado going through Kansas,
Funny thing is that Ernie knew it was there before I saw it.
He started squealing loud and running around in circles,
I thought he'd gone nuts and then saw the monster outside.

Later that day we saw the most beautiful rainbow ever seen,
I told Ernie that sometimes evil and good do cross paths.
Well I hope you've all enjoyed this story of my adventure,
Told Ernie way back then that someday I'd write of it.

Copyright © 2014 Robert William Gruhn All Rights Reserved

Note: There was much more to this train trip I took back then, if you'd like to read more about the adventures of Robert and Ernie let me know!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.

Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter