Archive for the ‘rail poems’ Category
Night Train to Osier 1906
Miles of narrow gauge rail lay glistening across the moonlit flat
On the southern horizon Mt. San Antonio lies sleeping in the shadows
A single headlamp glows from the train leaving the Antonito yard
The train builds power as it steams through the high desert sage
A band of coyotes liken to vigilantes chase their prey under Hangman’s Trestle
Red hot cinders glow within the smoke as it spews from the locomotives’ stack
Acrid smoke and intense heat escape as more coal is shoveled to the fiery box
A young deer falls as teeth and jaws clamp tightly around its slender throat
As the train passes overhead an old rope swings lightly in the desert breeze
Powering on the cattle train steams through miles of high desert sage
The conductor sights the glass on the boiler and pulls a watch from his vest
A scowl appears on the angry man’s face as he curses in disgust.
“Damn cowboys loaded us heavy! again!” “Better stop at Lava!”
The engineer stuffs his pipe with Prince Albert and smiles as he lights the bowl
Hundreds of clamoring hooves stomp the floor and sides of the cattle cars
As lanterns are lit, the train crew checks each car as the beasts kick and bawl
The locomotive spits and hisses steam as it takes on water at Lava Tank
The night air is alive with sounds of bawling cattle, cursing men, and live steam
RNRM
