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Tim
Senior Member

since 1999-06-08

Posts 1794

0 posted 2005-08-18 01:37 PM

A mile or so outside of town
...there stands a railroad trestle,
Within its beams below steel rails
...a swallow's nest does nestle,
Each day at four the Super Chief
...roars by, she's heading west,
On the way to California,
...L.A., the engine's quest,
Sand Creek's flow slows to a trickle
...in the summer heat,
Winds from the east to wood beamed trestle,
...then pools at bridge's feet.
A snapping turtle on a rock
...basks in a Kansas sun,
Minnows in creek's stagnant pool
...dart here and there as one,
It's four o'clock, the Super Chief
...is barreling down the track,
Whistle blaring at each mile,
...smoke pouring from her stack.
The trestle starts to vibrate,
...a swallow takes to flight,
The turtle slips into Sand Creek
...and disappears from sight,
Minnows darting helter skelter
...still in unison,
As above the Super Chief,
...blots out a searing sun.
Then in an instant, the train is gone,
...roaring down the track,
Until the only thing that's seen,
...a haze from train's smoke stack.
The swallow flies back to its nest,
...the turtle climbs its rock,
Minnows dart from here to there,
...it's now past four o'clock.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

1 posted 2005-08-18 01:39 PM

dang...this is awesome!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

2 posted 2005-08-18 01:42 PM

A slice of Kansas
as only can be done
by a native...

Enjoyed, Tim!

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

3 posted 2005-08-18 02:11 PM

And thus time is measured by extrordinary events and a special poet. Thanks Tim, for this great read!

Daniel J D
Senior Member

since 2000-10-01

Posts 1471
Hillcrest, Queensland, Australia

4 posted 2005-08-18 08:29 PM

Very good indeed

Respond to my call and let the waves of my heart fill your life with the wonders of love
(Daniel J D)

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

5 posted 2005-08-20 01:40 PM

Good grief! This was visually just the most beautiful poem in my mind Tim. I have seen those birds making nests on train station platforms, and wondered how on earth they stood the noise! I can always count on your poetry to take me on a tour of America, and again I thank you.

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