Inspired by a tale I heard while attending railroad conductor training. |
Same spot, same time, another year gone by Georgia slips into night under fading blue skies Sweet scent of pine transports him back To that evening along this stretch of track He bows his head, closes his eyes Silver rails reflected the setting summer sun Clear signal, throttle up, railroading’s fun Five thousand tons of hurtling freight Speed topping fifty, they wouldn’t be late Yes, indeed, this would be a good run Then a flash caught his eye, off to the right From tree line shadows sprang a rush of white A young woman in a long, snowy gown Leapt between the rails and knelt down Spread her arms and gazed into his headlight Oh, Jesus, no! He cried in desperate appeal Heart pounding, mind racing, it all seemed unreal He laid on the horn and dumped all his air Frantically begged her to move clear in despair Amid screech and squeal of steel on steel Just before she slipped beneath his view Their eyes locked and in that instant he knew The pain she ended that sweet summer’s eve Would now be his, would never leave Two lives collided, left broken and askew Thirty years have come and gone He’s been here each, never missing one He stoops and places his single white rose Amongst ballast stones, where no grass grows Tears glistening in the setting sun |