Featured Poem: Surprising Benediction

By Janet Fagal
Central New York Branch

 

We always heard the story,

how he rode the train

for four out of five

days of leave.

From San Antonio

to New York

and back.

He wanted to see her.

For even one day.

The train. Changed so much

of history. Rails bringing

the circus or the camper,

the worker or the mail.

Connected by the hum

of the wheels.

Tasting time

in quick breaths

between stations.

The train

as certain as the heart.

How much do so many owe

to a train,

trailing puffs of steam,

screeching toward home?

 

 

6 comments

  1. Barb Whitmarsh NLAPW says:

    LOVE THIS POEM’
    REMINDS ME OF MY GRANDPA
    WHO WAS HEAD ENGINEER OF
    L.I. RAILROAD. I HAVE A PIC OF HIM
    UP BEHIND THE WHEEL WITH IS HAT ON
    AND ALL.
    THANKS FOR SHARING POEM.

    • Janet Fagal says:

      Thank you, Barb. The train that brought him out to Queens was the LIRR. Glad it could bring back some memories for you.

      • Donna Puglisi says:

        I can feel the vibrations and sounds while riding on the AMTRAK from Long Island to Atlantic City! Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories of those wonderful trains!

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