(urinary track)
to the train
all aboard
get on board
get on board
for the ride
to remember
you’ll remember
this train
***
he swore to the conductor
we ten were under twelve
discount for having so many, so close
let dad do the talking
clackity clack
don’t talk back
smile, be polite
say thank you
yes sir
before long
we owned that train
bar car
dining car
sleeping car
more
running down the aisle
playing hide and seek
making lovers squirm
in their dirty looks
wishing they were on any. other. train.
‘til one of us stopped
to catch a breath of fresh air
at the joint between cars
at the joint between cars
then we all did
right there
and that’s where we stayed
for the rest of the trip
refreshed
stuck our heads outside
leaning out over the gate
as far as we could reach
reaching, stretching
without falling
without falling
'No falling!'
(as though another new rule would deem it so)
(as though another new rule would deem it so)
wind blowing our hair
blue sky
sunshine on our faces
and the rain
the rain
the cool, wet rain
sprinkling our faces
in sunshine
refreshment
by the end
mother wondered why our hair was wet
shirts damp
the look of horror on her face
was beyond understanding
as we begged
for her to join our joy
in our tale to tell
of being rained on in sunshine
in our tale to tell
of being rained on in sunshine
looking for rainbows
'that was no rain'
she exclaimed
jaw clenched
low hushed
matter of fact
disgusted still
madly digging for a hanky
‘the......toilet.......flushes.......onto........the........track.’
***
train engines hissin’
train track pissin’
clackity clack
urinary track
rhythm of the rail
hear momma wail
clackity clack
urinary track
clackity clack
urinary track
don’t hold back
go baby... go...
baby...
go...
just....
go.
Patricia Spreng
Yes, this really happened. In 1968, my parents took all 10 of us kids on a train ride to Taqhaumenon Falls in the upper peninsula of Michigan. We were having such fun, until we saw our mom's face. My dad wanted to throw us all into the Falls. Apparently, we all survived. We still laugh about it. The minute Claudia mentioned "trains," this was the first and only story that came to mind. =) Submitted to d’Verse Poetics tonight where Claudia is asking for stories about trains. Click here on d’Verse Poetics to read more train stories by the wonderful world of poets
Also skipping over to double dutch with Deidra and sharing laughter at Jumping Tandem, one of the marvelous places I've found through
The High Calling. (I'm getting loopy from linking.)
Also skipping over to double dutch with Deidra and sharing laughter at Jumping Tandem, one of the marvelous places I've found through
The High Calling. (I'm getting loopy from linking.)
