Terrible Train

I rode the Terrible Train
down a broad path that passed
between two great black mountains
shiny-slick, oozing like oil, sick and diseased
heaving overhead as I rode on down

I rode the Terrible Train
past great glistening vistas
new cities and old tobacco towns
mesa men brownly smiling
and disinterested tourists looking away

I rode the Terrible Train
through pink glass buildings
and smoky corridors
soft light mutely penetrating
my reflection flickers

I rode the Terrible Train
past the Plains of Man
a thousand forgotten dreams
lying in their dusty beds
too tired to rise

I rode the Terrible Train
to the Plains of The Prophets
through Messiah Mountains
past columns of fire and the screaming trees
that grow along the river that flows upstream

I rode the Terrible Train
over wind-swept fields
and nightmare visions
crumpled, crinkled, once-white paper
dancing in black back alley breezes

I rode the Terrible Train
by the city of new divorces
separated from the feelings
too empty to fill a heart
left behind like old dirty dishes

I rode the Terrible Train
through the Rains of Anxiety
heart beating murmurs
wide-eyed, seeing nothing
even the nothings that were not there

I rode the Terrible Train
speeding past the joys of old
a fleeting glimpse of Time’s treasures
buried by the relentless stream
of hour-glass sand

I rode the Terrible Train
near the Site of Promise
Yesterday’s Heyday now quiet
a hum under a basement floor
nobody stands still long enough to hear

I rode the Terrible Train
over rancoured truths
and well-worn lies
a lifetime’s accumulation
swept away as it sped by

I rode the Terrible Train
seeing junkyard displays
and bright facades of glee
narrowly covering
disparaged buildings

I rode the Terrible Train
by Northern wooded retreats
and Southern soirees
and Western rodeo roustabouts
and Eastern seashore shacks

I rode the Terrible Train
and saw crying orphans
war widows, misplaced soldiers
train stations overflowing
with sad seas of humanity

I rode the Terrible Train
by sparkling pentangle peaks
arcs of impossible angles
scraping black needles against the sky
piercing lowly ones who drift by

I rode the Terrible Train
fast animals keeping pace outside
seeking blood and warm flesh
trading it all for just one more ride