Steam Engine

she set a polish to the brass pipes with a careful hand she worried them hours like a silent moving contemplation she worked her way from one end of the massive machine to the other knowing every rivet every dent and scratch the hot steam leaving a sheen of sweat on her the machines labored breathing filled her ears alive to her she spoke to it in a loving soft whisper she felt the gauges and levers with the familiarity of mother and child knew its every creak and groan with the heart of unconditional loving care a steam engine is a living thing a breathing feeling entity a life of brass for bone coal fire for a heart powerful deep living it loved her as much as she loved it