Queen of the Rails

The engine: Long and black And sleek as she could be She shook the earth in her approach As her heraldry. An atmosphere of steam and smoke Expanding in her wake The Queen-of-the-Rails speeds on An arrival soon to make. Massive is her presence Enormity her design Power is her excess This Queen is so refined Once she ruled with majesty When o’er the rails she flew But … now, this one last time, The railway bids: “Adieu”. Slowly when she comes to stop We see she’s thoroughbred When water, steel and hard, black coal Within her there are wed. Her regal-ness resplendent In fittings’ shining bright Commanding our respect O’er the rails of her last flight. Now sitting at the siding She’s puffing rhythmic breath The museum’s destination Of her life commits its’ theft. Photographs will mimic Her image of today But missing from those photos: Glories of Yesterday When o’er the steel she thundered Demanding from all who saw Respect for Her grand power Which held them all in awe. But Glory, she found, was fleeting When “progress” came to call Her future then was set in stone In the writing on the wall. Now we hear the brake release … Her throttle then is moved … She inches down the shiny track Where the land with steel is grooved Then as she gains her speed And whistles out her “yell” An announcement for all to hear: “I know I’ve served you well!” She’s journeyed through the ages And a boy – an old man now - Watches as she fades away - He waves, then shouts out: “Ciao!” But in his mind is yesteryear With his dog there by his side Watching near the railroad tracks Where the Queen-of-the-Rails did ride. And long from now whenever He says: “Remember when …” In those times of reverie, She’ll come alive … again.