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Lavender
Lavender
Feb 02, 2024 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Supper Waits

"You've gotta ride that little black train
that's comin' in the night."
Woody Guthrie ~

Seldom that a train travels southwest.
Most times it's headin' northeast onto
Chicago or such.
But today, I hear its deep call far
behind me, as my dog and I
walk alone through these fields,
borders tucked alongside the tracks.

I look back to see the face
of the engine, still off a ways,
but, partin' the great plains
with its forceful body, holdin' the low
earth, and claimin' the almighty sky.

I've roamed these fields since boyhood,
my feet hard on old, familiar ground.
The land reaches up just so far, and I
can taste the wind rising from the dust.

The train draws closer now, its heavy holler
tinglin' through my knees and on up to my jaw
as my dog pauses - she seems to take notice of
the flashy graffiti singin' off the freight cars. I wonder
about such things. It flows like lyrics to the lullin' of the train;

"There's a little black train a-comin'
Comin' down the track
You gotta ride that little black train
But it ain't a gonna bring you back."

We watch the last car shimmy sort of side't'side
down the tracks, my dog standin' up, tail waggin'
as she looks up with hopeful eyes. I know, girl, I say.
Suppertime, and there's a sweet picture waitin' on the nightstand.

She races back, northeast bound and determined,
the last sound of the train, sighin' as if
no one knew we were ever there.

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United States

Favorite Poets: I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.

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More from this author

Comments

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

1 year 5 months ago

Dear Lavender,

I love the reference to Woody Guthrie. this is a fun read, even if it does feel a movement towards the past, sort of haunting and in shades of grey. my favorite lines are:

The train draws closer now, its heavy holler
tinglin' through my knees and on up to my jaw
as my dog pauses - she seems to take notice of
the flashy graffiti singin' off the freight cars. I wonder
about such things. It flows like lyrics to the lullin' of the train;

I must say: very well done!

*hugs, Cat

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 5 months ago

Hello, Cat,

Very much a reflective piece about mortality and a different time.
Thanks, as always, for reading and sharing your thoughts!
L

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 5 months ago

Hello, MM,

I appreciate you reading and commenting!
Thank you so much!
L

Geezer

Geezer

1 year 5 months ago

I can only agree...

this definitely has the feel of "The Plains". Somewhere out past the fields, a lonesome sound in the night. The same lines touch my mind in "I wonder about such things, and the flashy graffiti singing off the freight cars" Nicely done. ~ Geez.
.

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 5 months ago

Hello, Geezer,

I watched a long freight train travel by a while back, and studied the way the graffiti carried along with the movement and sound of the train. It was mesmerizing.
Thank you for reading! I am grateful for your comments!
L

Ruby Lord

Ruby Lord

1 year 5 months ago

This is lovely Lavender and I

This is lovely Lavender and I went and found and listened to Guthrie's song which also gave me the feeling of a train moving. It does have an old time feel to it and as usual your imagery is excellent. I could see the "graffiti singin'" in my mind. Really great job and very enjoyable. Ruby :) xx

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 5 months ago

Hello, Ruby,

Recently watched a freight train heading in the opposite direction of its usual route. The Woody Guthrie song seemed to match the sentiment as I watched.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Lx

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

1 year 5 months ago

Dear Lavender,

In rereading your poem, I found a memory riding with my step-grandpa who was an Engineer on the Milwaukee Road. I was very young, like six or seven, and saucer-eyed impressed! I don't recall if it was out of Minneapolis or St.Paul. Mostly I remember the butterflies in my stomach and sounding the whistle at crossings, etc. and the kindness of this tall, gentle soul! Thank you for returning a treasured time to me!

*hugs, Cat

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 5 months ago

Hello, Cat,

What a lovely memory! I'm happy if this brought it back to you!
L

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 5 months ago

You are too kind...

thank you! I learn more every day from reading and critiquing the poetry of everyone here, yours included, Eddy!
L

RoseBlack

RoseBlack

1 year 5 months ago

Another lovely poem

I like how you started with song lyrics in the beginning ..the possibilities of all the different destinations we can go by train. Great job.

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 5 months ago

Hello, Carrie,

I noticed you were away a few days - so good to see you! This is one of those poems that wrote itself. It had the voice of an older man, perhaps a widower, out walking with his dog and pondering life.
Thank you for reading. Your thoughts always mean a great deal to me!
Lx

RoseBlack

RoseBlack

1 year 5 months ago

Hi L

Yes I am back. Needed a few days to take care of some things. My dad and his dog would walk multiple times a day and he said she helped him through more times than not. They had many conversations. Great poem.

Lavender

Lavender

1 year 5 months ago

Yes...

...truly man's best and most devoted friend.
L