Home » Poems » Rhona Mcferran » One Track Mind

One Track Mind

Relentless.
My life keeps rolling
down the same
old train track
Chugga-chugga-chugga-chug!
rhythm in my brain

Like toy trains
mechanical and
steady, their
throbbing beat
predetermined path repeats
predictable loop

One track mind
takes me nowhere, but
feels oddly
comforting
stifling complacency
the near death of me

Frenemies
my lagging caboose
I let loose
so relieved!
Plugging ahead, no restraint
Chugga-chugga-WHHOOOO!

And 'though I
cannot control the
scenery
or weather,
I find freedom in
unhitching whole rail-cars of
passengers and freight

Disruptive
adding too much weight...
Made it hard
to climb these
necessary mountains and
keep moving ahead

Lighter now
I look for ways to
still improve
add more coal
on inner fires, dreams and
desires fueled up

Gaining speed
this loop is too small
to contain
zest for life
my feisty trajectory 
what is best for me

Terrified
I hit the switch and
pray that my
timing is
on target, switching the tracks
before it's too late

Brand new scenes
unfold beyond me
Truthfully
they're scary!
Unknown opportunities
frightening to me

Limitless
too big to express
these tracks called
Hope- sometimes
threaten to derail me, but
get me back on course...

And 'though I
have no idea
where I'm bound
what I'll find
I know I'm going somewhere
...no more one track mind!

---

Listed as Free Verse, but actually another Shadorma form...

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Richard Lamoureux

Date: 7/19/2019 9:42:00 AM

What an innovative use of metaphor. It sounds like your life is on track. I enjoyed your poem.

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 7/19/2019 10:15:00 PM

On track, yes... I think so- just a LONG ways from my destination! ;) Thank you, I'm so glad!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 3/30/2019 4:45:00 AM

I am the expert at unleashing frenemies! so this stanza completely delighted me, my friend. "Frenemies my lagging caboose I let loose so relieved! Plugging ahead, no restraint Chugga-chugga-WHHOOOO!" BRAVO!

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 3/30/2019 11:23:00 PM

I knew you'd enjoy that part- especially with my jubilant little chugging train whistle sound effect! ;D

M. L. Kiser

Date: 3/26/2019 5:00:00 AM

Sometimes we've got to switch those tracks and find something new to experience. Beautifully imagined and penned.

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 3/26/2019 7:57:00 PM

Thank you, my friend! ;)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/26/2019 12:55:00 AM

This is really cool, Rhona. You could also label it as symbolic. There is personification for things and animals. I can't recall a name for seeing one's life as a train, but it's a very interesting concept and you did a great job with it.

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 3/26/2019 7:56:00 PM

Thank you so much, Andrea! Symbolic does seem to fit better... ;)