Thabang Ngoma Poet Prose

The Steam Engine

I was riding the railway tracks of my fissures
Deep into my darkest inner thoughts
Lost and dying in the snowfall of my winter
And back again
From a mental anguish like a splinter
Never slowing down to quench my thirst
From a desire to be first

And so you appeared... Mr. Coalman
Power to you, Sir!
And so I take the shovel of coal
To start the steam engine and commence my travels
Darker than the pistons you feed
To master my trade
I see the white in your eyes 
I smile at the glint exposed further down

And continue like a rollercoaster...
On through the tunnels
On through the loops and slides 
The shovel never leading my hands
With sweat soaking my shirt
feet never leaving my boots
Stubbornness of such single mindedness

I want to extend my hand to say
“Thank you! Thank you for everything
For all the warm nights
And safe journeys thus far
Over undulating mountain sides and unstable bridges 

Just as you feed my fire
On this scenic journey,
A life still on track with the passengers I chose to bring along
For the ride you steer in spite of my doubts and fears”

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