Old Smoky Number 9
Poet: Ken Jordan (Story)
Story: Old Smoky Number 9
Edited by: Sparkle Jordan
written: November/2012
There's a mystic breeze softly
flowing down a dirt road not
far from where I live. In a way,
it's very spiritual to see the
dust float up from the ground
in anticipation of the old
number 9 locomotive train
passing through at high noon.
It's a ritual, each Thursday
around noon time, locals fetch
a seat on a bench down near
the park to watch the train that
they call Old Smokey Number
9, huff and puff its way through
the heart of Whistle Town.
I haven't found anything more
blissful than watching families,
friends, and visitors show there
affection to a coal burning
marvel, still running from a by-
gone era.
Here she comes bellowing two
thick black smoke balls from its
stacks, as she belts out two
long whistles, and one short
whistle sound. It's the moment
everyone has been waiting on,
the once a week approach of
old iron wheels, and the proud
engineer waving to the
gathered crowd.
Within seconds though, Old
Number 9 has passed by and
gone, marking the end of
another Thursday, of on lookers
watching a little piece of
heaven rumble pass the
Parrish Square.
I will never leave Whistle Town,
there is something special
about the people here, and all
that this town has to offer.
Once a skeptic of the mystic
breeze, and the spiritual dust
that floats up from the dirt
road.
Now I am humbled by it, i
understand what the train
represents, a time when life
was simple, and everything in
life was done at a slow pace.
In so many ways, Whistle
Town, hasn't changed,
especially each Thursday, at
high noon when old timers
gather to greet a friend from
the past, Old Smokey Number
9.
These priceless moments will
last a life time, and I'll be here
to enjoy every precious second
in time,
I live in Whistle Town.
Copyright © Ken Jordan | 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