trains in passing
11 April 2008
The idea of cowboys, lassos and distinctively American mythic symbols in this piece must be credited to my friend and fellow poet, Gardner Mounce.
A train blaring westward but
Having no more lassos to
Throw…no more west to blaze…no
More buffalo or natives
To trample. Only asphalt
Breaks
its stride—the wild
is gone.
Nonetheless, there are well worn
Boots, buckles with flash and dusty
Hats worn as are red wristbands
By knee high kids that, though
With admiration, lampoon
Another’s toughness; so the
Whistling train squeals its parody,
And the wild-west lives on.
11 April 2008 at 6:36 pm
I love this one!!! Our conversation on Tuesday has definitely been affecting a new one I’m trying to write. It deals with this idea of conquest but with Magellan as my symbol and the idea that he died–must have died–to circumnavigate the world if only to come home again. In the same way, we all set out from God to return to Him again.
12 April 2008 at 2:35 am
What a comment - “the wild west lives on”. Fantastic irony.
Especially love how metaphor gives ideas a tangible, relevant reality!
Gemma
12 April 2008 at 3:07 am
I like this a lot!
I could hear the sounds!
children’s day out
12 April 2008 at 4:25 am
Got to love the playfulness of kids especially when they play cops and robbers and reinact the old west. Fun times nice post.
12 April 2008 at 4:46 am
Great job! The mythical attributed to the Wild West lives on - amazing how that ’stuff’ works. Makes me wonder about the times before spun history!
19 April 2008 at 3:10 am
Very good! I like it! 4 thumbs up, well if I had any more thumbs!
6 May 2008 at 2:11 am
Holy cow! You changed the site up! Love it still! :3