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Ray Whitaker shared a letter in the Poetry group 1 year, 3 months ago
TOWARDS THE DISTANCE
A steam engine train chugs
down the tracks in the Alberta wilds
great clouds of steam
exit from the engine down at the side
the whistle sounds, echoing off the gorge
while snow falls off the tall pines.It is a black engine
great silver coupling rods rotate the dark wheels
a pilot cow catcher moves first on the front
the locomotive turns with the track, towards Calgary
into the wilderness around the bend
away from Medicine Hat city.Chugging into the back of beyond
staring out the window of the moving train
on the landscape outside, there is a moose.
It is as big as the annoying perplexity
left upstairs at home
on the dresser in the white framed photograph.Subscribe  or  log in to reply
The imagery of the black engine with its silver coupling rods and pilot cow catcher is very striking. The train’s journey into the wilderness creates a sense of adventure and possibility. Very captivating, very beautiful.
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