The Night Train

Lines of steel stale with rust
Eavesdropping on former voices
That echo long forgotten stories
Of Hobo's and their riding blind choices

Rails drumming a steady pulse
Somewhere between thunders deafening pitch
And piercing squeals of halting mass
A symphony of the bankrupt enriched

Majestic the night trains roll on by
Setting my senses on edge
Lowered gates on lights red flash
Flashbacks of rail miles dredged

Ethereal I feel when standing near
Every time her whistle blows
I stand in awe of its seasons and scenes.
Endless travelers empowered by coal

The caller summons the switchmen's lantern
As band of men would alter your course  
Car upon car coupled together
By the strength of human hands they were forced

Tracks and trusses drape our country like a morning yawn
Graffiti tags your box's, spraying their territorial scent
These sounds and sights of history in motion
Reveals the sad distance of a chronicled descent

From your earliest beginnings
You've captured hearts of man and his soul
Inspiring sages and meager labored wages
From stack to track let your steel wheels roll 

Nostalgic romantics like me will feed
Like the orphan touched with hunger
Not for the substance of your varied freight 
But to fly as your envied conductor

Your sight, your sounds, your smell and taste
They burn with intensities fire
Heightened reminders that we're alive
Driving us to reach ever higher

And so the night train 
Majestic in power
Roll on roll on
In virtues endowment to inspire
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Peterson Avatar
January 20, 2014 at 11:54 AM
You have brushed a broad stroke of history with these words that are as much a painting or epic film as poetry. There is something here to appeal to all the senses, so the offering is satisfying on many levels. I so enjoy reading your poems.
Abedin Avatar
January 19, 2014 at 9:57 PM
I love it
Smith Avatar
January 19, 2014 at 11:47 AM
Very strong and beautiful..I really enjoyed it. Tim
Ellison Avatar
January 19, 2014 at 11:28 AM
Your poetic prowess never fails to amaze me, my dear sweet Sarai! You are one of those special souls that we encounter and remember with love for the rest of our days! You have a heart of gold... a tender soul that very few possess! Your talents as a poet allows us to see inside your warm tender heart! Love and soft warm cuddly hugs XOXOXOX
Tacito Avatar
January 19, 2014 at 9:06 AM
My GOD, I'd love to be on this train. It's incredible what happens when you but some "walls" around people's identity and see what they can do to shine and be true to themselves. This speaks quite deeply for me. Excellent.
Carroll Avatar
January 19, 2014 at 7:54 AM
An enjoyable read Sarai..Thanks for your visit to my verse.. Ken
Manassian Avatar
January 19, 2014 at 5:56 AM
Very inspiring, Sarai...So many memories evoked about how the railways came to be and a testament to the continuity of progress and life. You used your words with great finesse! Hugs
Virden Avatar
January 19, 2014 at 6:23 AM
Thank you kindly sweet Eileen, trains are one of the great loves in my life. Hugs and happiness I wish for you today <3
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