Mistress of Dover Yard

A railfans dream

The light flashes from the last car.

I release the brake line.

There is a satisfying ssssss

And I watch the needle fall

The reserves rise.

 

A small turn and the engine purrs into action.

The clink of couplers resound,

Bouncing off the brick and mortar

Of days gone by.

The engine gives a little jerk as the slack lets out.

 

Looking out, I see the light on the rail.

It is a smooth transition

From my hand to the satisfyingly, throaty roar,

The rumble and grumble,

And squealing steel on steel,

Of my mistress.

Author's Note

I am an avid lover os trains. My grandfather and father can be to blame.

This morning, on my way to work, this came into my head as I watch a train pull out of Dover yard, NH

Reviews

[McGee]

I honestly am confused by it

[MuSe Ampoule]

Great Job! It's like you put yourself under the conductor's hat and took off. :)

[Truman S. Booth]

I like this. The line breaks onomatopoeias make it very poetic, yet it reads like a story from the heart of an engineer. I have a good friend that works with trains all night long--I think anyone with affiliations to trains will really enjoy this poem.