ever notice how a guy never complains
when he's down on his floor playing with trains
he eyes his track like a master engineer
the boy simply admires the engine of power
and imagines himself its master
heading on, sticking out the cab window
coming out of the turn from the yard
to a flat straightaway running faster
a three-note whistle wails looong as
in his head he hears the Doppler shift
and he crosses trestles and bridges
to the importance of a playful day
devoid of studying and any timetables
outside of pulling into the next station

paying insurance bills and filing
endless forms are totally unknown
girlfriends or wives and little engineers
of his own to provide for somehow
and the demands of bank notices and
client presentations mean nothing
with an eyeball on the rug watching the
509 coming down the track of his bliss
the brakeman in overalls, gloves and cap
swings his lantern and waves hello

© agoodguy2have 2010-10-30