Train

Oh no! Train again!

Perched upon parallels of steel,
You roll your way on heavy wheels.
Thundering through town
With a rhythmic rattle and clickity-clack.
Your deep throat rumbles diesel black.
Cars convey a cargo of corn syrup,
Commuters and coal.
You are an ant trail of steel
Packing prizes from a picnic port.
You are the artery of America’s life blood.

--Four full sets of dominoes 
Laid in one long row.
--A segmented serpent
Slithering on shining steel.
--A bright-eyed Cyclops screaming in the night,
Awakening children with a fright.
--A termite traveling through boroughs
Beneath the “Big Apple”.

You are the canvas of gangland graffiti
And ferry for freight hoppers
Who dare to hitch a ride.

A network linking limits sea to sea.
Now, rattle past, and make it fast.
I’ve places I should be.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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A   Avatar
March 28, 2013 at 10:01 PM
Ray, I'm stopping by to say hi, and wish you an early Happy Easter, just in case I don't have time to stop by in the next few days. take care and have yourself a good one~ Always & Forever *LINDA"
Richards Avatar
March 14, 2013 at 1:29 PM
As if the signal gates have lowered, and I'm sitting while my car idles watching those cars with grafitti fly by my eyes! Love the vivid images!!
Dietrich Avatar
March 12, 2013 at 11:35 PM
wow, what amazing metaphor and images in this one. VERY nice one, Ray. Keep up the poems like this one!
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2013 at 10:00 PM
You've captured the hustle and bustle of going on and off trains excellently! Love the descriptions given in the second stanza... some real original ones that I've never read before. Someday I wish to go on a train myself... Another great piece of writing...
Dillard Avatar
March 8, 2013 at 10:39 PM
You've made me smile ; ) again.
Taylor Avatar
March 7, 2013 at 3:52 PM
Excellent, Ray. Congrats. Nice going. Ralph
Williams Avatar
March 7, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Ray, well done, I love the four sets of dominoes, great metaphors....David
Gildersleeve Avatar
March 7, 2013 at 2:18 AM
Congrats Ray on your well deserved win. Connie
Mannan Avatar
March 6, 2013 at 9:45 PM
Dear Ray congrats for this awesome win.
A   Avatar
March 6, 2013 at 9:35 PM
RAY, ;-) congratulations with your awesome win, in my contest. always~ LINDA
Horsman Avatar
March 4, 2013 at 10:41 AM
this is truly wonderful poetry, also very nostalgic for me
Gorelick Avatar
March 1, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Great job..I especially like the second stanza..BG
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