Locomotive breath

by Grant Gilbert AKA Slash   Jun 16, 2008


Locomotive breath
Huffing & puffing its pure steam power
Pushing and pulling we bill by the hour
Heaving & hauling we drag to the top
Braking & sliding we grind to a stop

Blackened by soot and streaked with sweat
A stokers life is as good as it gets
Shovelling coal in two hundred degrees
Would leave most grown men, weak at the knees

A certain kind of freedom completely unique
Of which few men know and seldom speak
A constant battle between man and machine
And a special understanding that is not often seen

We're late, we're late lets quicken the pace
The next stops coming and I must open the grates
Clean out the fire and take on some water
And if there's time, visit the station masters daughter

A special resilience and unusual endurance
And you'd never guess at just one glance
How much mental effort and physical strain
It takes from these men to move this train

So the next time you see there's a train about
Lift up your hand and hail with a shout
Because with these special men, we could not do without.
Grant
Fri 13.10.2006
02h38

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Latest Comments

  • 15 years ago

    by Christopher Wry

    Yes without them the rest of the crew are not.

  • 15 years ago

    by Mr. Darcy

    Grant,
    Firstly congratulations on your deserved win.

    This poems subject and the meter compliment each other. I found myself huffing and chuffing the words along out loud. You have painted a clear image of the train’s momentum and its engineers causing its movement. Without them it would lay cold and stationary, dead if you like. With their fossil fuel and effort life is breathed into the beast, tamed to provide transportation for all.

    Well done

    Michael

  • 15 years ago

    by Edward D Zurovec

    Nicely written, reminds me of childhood days flattening pennies on the tracks and climbing the tressel, waiting for the big beast to roll by, shaking and vibrating the structure as we held on for dear life. Excellent Poem.
    Steve Earle wrote, I ain't ever satisfied.
    "I was born by the Railroad Tracks
    that train whistle wailed
    and I wailed right back"
    Peace and Blessings

  • 15 years ago

    by gracey grey

    Just wanted to congratulate on the win................what's got into people? Somebody seems jealous......if you know what i mean......

  • 15 years ago

    by Muhammad Junaid

    Hello
    I am deeply thankfull to you that you have rated and made comments on my poem in the near past.
    I have submitted my peom "Child Beggar Noshi",That i wrote when i was a Student of Civil Engineer,this is a real story of a Young Girl,and when i meet her,i was deeply grieved to see her condition.Kindly read my poem "Child Begger Noshi" and rate and Comment on it,to let me know,did it touched your heart or not
    You won my heart by commenting on my poem....i am expecting that you do this favour again
    Thanks alot
    Love

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