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 © Robert Gruhn | Year Posted 2014
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