*****

Recorded Reading (3:24): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w3yhsveq5zqfb5qlx3p5l/The-Right-Side-of-the-Tracks.mp3?rlkey=bg2ezun4vgr25behtrgza874j&st=lp1bxbyi&dl=0

*****

The Right Side of the Tracks

I took a local train the other night
And while I sat my side the tracks upon
I witnessed a most ordinary sight
Perhaps not ordinary as in days foregone

It may be that it is, or maybe not —
We cannot in a single lifetime know
What those who came before us common thought
Unless through all the hist’ry books we go,

Looking for something they have not to tell:
Whether the common man more grateful was,
Whether we treated loved ones then more well
And found with brothers certain common cause…

— Whether or no, here present was a sight
I heartily wish I saw oftener:
A man clearly pursuing his delight
Nor alternate activity prefer

Both arms outstretched upon the chilly back
Of the uncomfortable bench, he sat
Smiling as would a man whom nothing lack,
Wearing a slightly silly winter hat

And what was it he gazed so happy on
What was it for which he so grateful be?
That prize by every other prize attempted won:
A happy, loving little family

The trains come by somewhat less often then
On winter’s weekend evenings, and yet they,
Instead of constant checking timely when
It might come to carry them all away,

Showed every single so unlikely sign
They all three perfectly contented be —
The mother showed her child the station sign
Whereon glowing green numbers featured be

A game between them made to figure out,
Then slowly walked the ticket vender to
Its function there at length to talk about
And brightly its dislayed instructions view…

Their eager, loving voices drifted to
My happy vigil’s solitary bench
My heart was so uplifted by the view
This endlessly hopeless poetic wench

Found peeking in on the interaction
Within this lovely loving family
To have. by all means, far more attraction
Than anything promised on our TV

At last their train came rolling round the bend
They waved it in — and then waved it away!
The play came not to its expected end
I saw them yet upon the platform stay

A few more moments, then slowly begin,
Holding each other’s reaching hands, to drift
Away, until night’s shadows took them in:
The whole outing had been that couple’s gift

To their fortunate child, whose parents be
In love with one other, and with life,
And count no greater honor than to be
A happy husband, mother, son or wife

*****

The poet/editor of this website is physically disabled, and lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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