Freight Train

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Freight Train


They say a freight train lets out that blast
to warn those near the tracks to get away
as it rolls heavy through a city.

I say it's a beckoning to hobos in our souls
who tell us we have done about all we're
going to do--not much and not what

anybody wanted anyhow. So why not go,
why not grab steel, ride the freighting
beast down the coast to the last boast

you'll ever make before you shake
oblivion's hand and go back to being
particles commonly found in the universe?

A train's wail is a tune from that
incalcuable space. A train's machine-cry
makes you want to chase the train,

a chain of iron cars, a creature born
of burned out stars. Your life says,
"That train is just blind freight--

stay here, under covers, go to sleep."


Copyright 2010 Hans Ostrom