The Railroad Man
Your eyes possessed the sunset of tomorrow
And denies the sunrise of today
Your callused hands burnt from the struggles
Yet flimsy with superfluous abandonments
Like empty stations, you futilely wait
To be filled, but in your sleep
You have forgotten the weight
Of your ethereal passengers
Encumbering your peaceful calm
I watched you watch the railroad tracks
But they never altered, do they?
I watched you watch the passing trains
And the faces antagonizing the ferry
For they are the faces of departing,
Faces of the arriving - unstained
Of any rue or purpose, aren't they?
A bloated gloaming came
And I espied you once again
Musing on the shaking ground
And the minutiae pyrotechnics
Bubbling in the railroad track
A resolute ruse upon your fisted hands
And a-letting go upon the other
The babel of voices came with a roar
And the alloy beast was before you
In this bending slope of the track
It decelerated speed while you
Grew stronger to face defeat
Before the last trail fade
You finally moved and morose
Was basking in the shadows you left
As you free-ride and surf the train
And there as a glow upon you:
A flicker of life pawned for a requiem
Is this what makes you safe?
Disentangling tethers that promised forever
Perhaps you knew that forever is a lie
Is this what makes you brave?
Departing the amiable promises
And saving cities from tragedies
Is this your fate?
Or your maneuver against it?
Before the mousetrap closes
I flung myself into the train
Now I come for oblivion
With ten thousand reasons
And ten million footsteps
I will never build a home.
poem by Norman Santos
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
At Old Railroad Stations
At these tiny old railroad stations,
Which my own train long ago left behind,
I fear for the pressing crush of people
Departing, who pass on this stretch of track.
And I would like to see myself rise
Above the ones waiting on the platform,
So that I am as far as I can be now
On my journey in this rattlebox life,
So that I know bridges and tunnels,
The sea-, lake-, rock-, and cityscapes,
So my eyes and ears are pierced with knowing,
With those unknown in their seats,
So that they'll still be sitting in Times' train,
Brooding at the window, watching sparks fly
And the flashing of the tragic signals,
When I long got off at the destination.
poem by Franz Werfel
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Way The Look For The Words
he was careful in looking for the words
to make up his thoughts
he hangs his head on the railing of the train
closes the glass window
looks at the flashes of each passing scene
his eyes cannot wink
wide to the realities unfolding
against the speed of pictures and events
the sound of the honks and the ambulance
the trains on the byways of his mind
the destination finally arrives at the station
where everything becomes still
where everyone goes out takes the exit
to every door
and then he raises his hands to the faces that meet him
five just five of those sea of faces
and he wakes up
and he knows this is but an imagination on one of his journeys
for they are all dead.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Good Morning Mr. Railroad Man
(traditional)
Good morning, mr. railroad man
What time do your trains roll by ?
"at 9:16 and 2:44 and 25 minutes 'till 5"
"at 9:16 and 2:44 and 25 minutes 'till 5"
Thank you, mr. railroad man
I want to watch your trains go by
Standing on a platform, smoking a cheap cigar
And waiting for an old freight train that carries an empty car
Well, i pulled my hat down over my eyes
And i walked across the tracks
And i caught me the end of an old freight train
And i never did come back
Well, i sat down in a gamblin' game
But i could not play my hand
I was thinkin' about the woman i loved
Run away with another man, poor boy
Run away with another man
I was thinking about the woman that i loved
Run away with another man
song performed by by Ry Cooder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Empty Stations
Orbs of light drifted in the window
Along with coffee spells and smoke
The cold comes down with the dark
Quietly rippling the engine's roar
And sleep struggles to tranquilize
The hysteric sea resurging inside
In this transitory life I have waited
To be filled like an empty station
Marauded by forlorn passengers
Looking for right doors, numbers,
And tickets and vacancies;
I watched them mordantly
Remembering how hopeless
It is to search and stay,
Our feet are made for departing
Our arms for their arrival
And we can only waltz
To an inconsistent forever
In the plenitude of doors
And sleeping stations
Knocks would always arrive
Like a meaningless song
And some would come in,
Some would come out,
Tired, uninspired; searching
Hopeful, open; found
In this groaning repose,
Veiled by tobacco scent and
Shielded by a sooty window,
I held my ticket waiting to be torn
As I futilely wait for my own peace
When sleep heralds the night
And shifting unconscious states
Where you remained alive.
poem by Norman Santos
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Day After Day
Day after day
Miles and miles of railroad track
Night after night
Hummin of the wheels
Their hummin seems to say
Hell follow you someday
But someday seems a million miles away
Wish I could turn around
And run back home again
Ive had no mercy
Since the blues got on this train
Day after day
Make a dollar, need it twice
Night after night
Lie awake and dream
Of days of auld lang syne
Moonlight through the pine
And linen table cloths all stained with wine
Wish I could turn around
And run back home again
Ive been so empty
Since I caught that eastbound train
Day after day
Watch the hands move round the clock
Night after night
Searching for my soul
So this must be my fate
To sit and weep and wait
And pray my darlin comes before too late
Wish I could turn around
And run back home again
Ive been so lonely
Since I caught that eastbound train
song performed by by Joni Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I have always loved to sit in ferry and railroad stations and watch the people, to walk on crowded streets, just walk along among the people, and see their faces, to be among people on street cars and trains and boats.
quote by Ella R. Bloor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Penciled Faces
She sat at her window everyday
and watched the world go by.
She was engrossed in seeing so many faces
and she often wondered why?
What was it about their differences
that captivated her so?
It must have been the expressions they wore.
Little did any of them know
that without this daily procession of faces
she would simply be lost.
She sat with pencil and paper
and sketched the faces that crossed.
And they became for her a family
for she was quite alone.
She'd set them up on the walls around her,
the names of them unknown.
So she gave them names for she loved them
and so her family grew.
Pretty soon her walls were filled
with people that she knew.
Years went by. She died in her chair
where she watched the world go by.
And all of her family of faces
were there to watch her die.
poem by Edwina Reizer
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I Watched
Pediatric E.R, R.I.P 11/5/09 (Volunteer work can be tough)
I watched…
A heartbreaking scene today
But I couldn’t take
my eyes away
I watched …
I feel shamed to say
I watched
a little girl die today
I watched …
an anguished EMT cry
I watched nurses drawn faces
I watched a little girl die
I watched …
Just outside the doors
The Frantic CPR applied
With frantic, futile force
I watched
Her mother fearfully enter the room
To be seated by her side
To share in her impending doom
I watched
A strange, unsettling scene
Upturned faces as if in prayer
hopefully watch the vitals screen
I watched
A life dissipate and fade
On a bed
That I had newly made
I watched…
At least a half hour they tried
With wondrous machines, marvelous medicines
Yet still, this little girl died
I watched…
Then I heard a small whimpering cry!
But It was only the mother
As she saw her child die
I watched…
Her arms outspread, her mom at her side
Young staring eyes so angelicly appealing
I watched, sadly watched….then I also cried.
poem by David Whalen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
See All Her Faces
(jim stratton / alexander ryan)
Here she comes
Here she comes
Ribbons flying from her half-forgotten hair
Look at her run
See what the world and love have done
See all her faces
See all her faces
Look in my eyes
That she is me
I cant disguise
See all her faces
Ah, ha, see all her faces
Im looking for someone
Of the gentle kind
Knowing that looks can lie
Looking for someone
Is he there to find?
Or should I run on by, ah, ha
Here she comes
Here she comes
Shadows sadly chasing
Every step she takes
Look at her now
She needs love so much more somehow
See all her faces
See all her faces
Look at my life
The wasted years
Each a knife
See all her faces, ah-ha
See all her faces
Waiting for someone
Who will set me free
Passing the time too fast
Waiting for someone
Is that where hell be?
Or should I run right past? , hmm
There she goes
There she goes
Somehow making me and all her faces sad, oh, oh
Ba, da, ba, da, ba, da, ba, da......
song performed by by Dusty Springfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Arrivals and Departures
Landing, arrival, homecoming
Taking off, departing, holiday, higher learning.
Some holding out arms to embrace
Others were waving with both hands.
Reunion filled with anticipation
Moist eyes, wistful expressions.
Animated faces, full of devotion
Lips twitching, myriad emotions.
Commotion, as dear ones alight
And others depart to catch a flight.
From the lounge I watched
Anxious faces, on tiptoe search
Some giving last minute instructions
Young, listening with compunction.
Airport lounges and Railway stations
Tell so many stories I thought with fascination.
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Boomers Story
(traditional, adapted by ry cooder)
Come and gather all around me
Listen to my tale of woe
Got some good advice to give you
Lots of things you oughta know
Take a tip from one whos travelled
And never stopped a-ramblin round
cause once you get the roamin fever
You never want to settle down, boy
You never want to settle down
I met a little gal in frisco
And I asked her to be my wife
Told her I was tired of roamin
Goin to settle down for life
Then I heard the whistle blowin
And I knew it was the red ball train
And I left that gal beside the railroad
And I never saw the gal again, boy
I never saw the gal again
Saw the gal again
I never saw the gal again
Left that gal beside the railroad
And I never saw the gal again
Travelled all over the country
Ive travelled everywhere
I been on every branch line railroad
And I never paid a nickel fare
I been from maine to californy
And from canada to mexico
I never tried to save no money
And now I got no place to bo, boy
Now I got no place to go
Listen to a boomers story
Pay attention to what I say
Well, I hear another train a-comin
Guess Ill be on my way
If you wanna do me a favor
When I lay me down and die
Just dig my grave beside the railroad
So I can hear the trains go by, boys
So I can hear the trains go by
Hear the trains go
Hear the trains go by
Just dig my grave beside the railroad
So I can hear the trains go by
song performed by by Ry Cooder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Railroad
Up each morning at five oclock,
Seem like the noon-day sun aint never gonna stop.
The work is hard in a railroad yard,
Hey, hey, gotta make it today to punch a time card.
Workin on the railroad.
Chorus
Oh, you know, the railroad is a mighty good line,
Come on and ride the railroad, one more time.
Oh, you know, the railroad is a mighty good line,
Come on and ride the railroad, one more time.
Dirt and sweat, runnin down my back,
Workin on the railroad.
Work all day long up and down the railroad tracks.
Workin on the railroad.
Im a God fearing man, and with many I stand,
Workin on the railroad.
And with God weve been working, all hand in hand.
Workin on the railroad.
Chorus
Oh, you know, the railroad is a mighty good line,
Workin on the railroad.
Come on and ride the railroad, one more time.
Workin on the railroad.
Oh, you know, the railroad is a mighty good line,
Come on and ride the railroad, one more time.
song performed by by Grand Funk Railroad
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Right Track Wrong Train
The train was leaving at 10 after 10
I got to the station just in time to check in
Ive been bumpin my bags all around
Im trying hard to never knock people down
But I can see I left a few on the ground
And as the train pulls away I can hear the conductor say
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Im not to blame (echo)
Right track wrong train... train
I read my schedule but my train wasnt there
I re-read my ticket, it said going nowhere
Everybody had the same tatooed face
All the women and men dressed in lace
I think I gotta get out of this place
I shouldve got off before the engineer locked the door
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Im not to blame (echo)
Right track wrong train, train train train hey !
Hey thats a neat tatoo youre wearing. by the way whered you get it ?
Uh huh. say, is this an express train ? uh huh.
Snack bar ? uh huh. uh huh.
Something is happening so familiar to me
Is this the outer limits like on tv ?
Another empty town fading to gray
Another coca-cola sign on the way
Have a cup of coffee, have a nice day
And as the train pushes on,
Were headed for babylon
Oh no...
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Right track wrong train...
On the wrong train on the right track
We dont know if shell ever come back
(talking) what train is this ?
Something is happening so familiar to me
Is this the outer limits like on tv ?
Have a cup of coffee, have a nice day (talking)
Yeah, yeah Ill be right there yeah. Im gonna get the next train yeah.
song performed by by Cyndi Lauper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Midnight Train
(instrumental intro)
Oh my darling will you come to me
Shaking now just like a willow tree
So tell me whats the story
This track well ride to glory
Coming home
Pretty karla and her russian clothes
Clapboard house and a different nose
Love keeps a candle burning
These steel wheels are turning
Back for home
Come in out of the rain
Come out of the night
Out on the midnight train
Midnight train
Come out of the light
Come out of the rain
Riding the midnight train
Midnight train
Moscow lights, well they dim and glow
The taste is sweeter than its driven snow
So tell me whats the story
This track to ride to glory
Coming home
Come out of the rain, come out of the lights,
Out on the midnight train, midnight train
Come out of the lights, come out in the rain,
Riding the midnight train, midnight train
(instrumental)
Oh my darling will you come to me
Shaking now just like a willow tree
Come out of the lights, come out in the rain,
Riding the midnight train, midnight train
Out of the rain, live again, riding the midnight train, midnight train
Come of the lights, into the rain, riding the midnight train, midnight train
One little strange, come back again
(instrumental fade out)
song performed by by Ufo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Dixie Flyer
(Susan Longacre/Jim Photoglo/Russell Smith)
Well the first thing I remember is the smell of burnin' cinders
And the sound of that old whistle on the wind
I always wondered where the train was going
But I never cared at all where it had been
Yeah the first chance I got, I was gone like a shot
Following that old dream of mine
My only desire was to catch that flyer
And ride it to the end of the line
My life is like a Dixie Flyer
She don't ever look back
So pour on the coal
Let the good times roll
Till the train runs out of track
Full speed ahead no I ain't stoppin' yet
I feel that drivin' wheel down in my soul
I been some places where the train don't stop
Some places where the train don't even go
Yeah some are satisfied just to sit on the side
And watch as the trains roll by
That ain't me, there's too much to see
Gonna roll until the day that I die
My life is like a Dixie Flyer
She don't ever look back
So pour on the coal
Let the good times roll
Till the train runs out of track
Till the train runs out of track
Till the train runs out of track
song performed by by Travis Tritt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Faces Of Failures
a boy before he can
talk and
walk must be taught that life has two faces
the first face is that of success
the other is dismal failure
the latter has more than five shadows
and they always chase you
to disarm you
and then kill you
a father must train the boy to love
not just the first face
but also the second
lest he can be a candidate for
extinction
when this boy grows to be a man
the faces of failure and its thousand shadows
cannot defeat him
not one of them
even the one with live snakes on her head
can turn him into
a useless piece of stone.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Railroad Man
I feel like an old railroad man
Ridin' out on the Bluemont Line
Hummin' along Old Dominion Blues
Not much to see, and not much left to lose
And I know I can walk along the tracks
It may take a little longer
But I know how to find my way back
I feel like an old railroad man
Who's really tried the best that he can
To make his life add up to something good
But this engine no long burns on wood
And I guess I may never understand
The times that I live in
Are not made for a railroad man
I feel like an old railroad man
Gettin' on board at the end of an age
The station's empty and the whistle blows
Things are faster now
This train is just too slow
And I know I can walk along the tracks
It may take a little longer
But I know how to find my way back
song performed by by Eels
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Film Noir
(j. webb/c.simon)
Got on in new haven
Last car on the train.
Put my hat on the seat,
Wipe the tears from my eyes.
I watched my life go by,
Like a movie in my brain.
Scenes unreeling;
In a sceneless chain
On the window,
And a silver screen of rain!
And the opening title scroll,
And the score comes in and under.
And Im in the starring role,
In a world of love-struck wonder;
Its a tale full of promise, about two crazy kids;
Falling in love, but in flashback.
And then the music,
That gorgeous music;
And I wake up,
Rattling down the railroad track.
He could be sweet,
But I stayed on my guard.
Just how good a liar
Can a decent man be?
I always played my hand
Like I didnt have the cards.
Cause he held them all
So I could never see.
Yes, he played me for a fool,
And I agreed.
And the closing credits roll,
And the waves come in like thunder.
Cause the heros lost control,
And I made a fatal blunder.
Just another sad story;
Two star-crossed kids,
Racing headlong up a cul-de-sac.
And then that music,
That mournful music.
And the trains disappearing
Down that railroad track.
And the long, slow dissolve,
As we fade to black.
song performed by by Carly Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Southbound Train
Well she was born in a north woods town
Twenty-one winters ago
And she grew tired of the freezing cold
And living in the blinding snow
But this girl knew she wouldn't be there long
'Cause she had plans and dreams
And she'd seen pictures of the sunshine state
In the pages of the magazine
So she waited them tables and she used her smile
Saving every penny she can
For a one-way Dixie bound Amtrak ticket
Headed for the promised land
Her momma and daddy begged her not to go
When the day she dreamed of came
And she waved goodbye sittin' way up high
From the window of a southbound train
Now she's got a fire burnin' deep inside
Ridin' on a southbound train
And the clickity-clack of that railroad track
Only helps to fan the flames
No more worries, no more cares
She left them up in Bangor, Maine
Now she's startin' a brand new life
Ridin' on a southbound train
Whoa...
She said, 'Hello sun, good mornin' Daytona
You're sure lookin' good to me
With your ocean breeze and your tall palm trees
And your southern hospitality'
Now she's a knockout queenie in a string bikini
She's drivin' all the boys insane
And this all started with a small town dream
And a ticket on a southbound train
'Cause she had a fire burnin' deep inside
Ridin' on a southbound train
And the clickity-clack of that railroad track
Only helps to fan the flames
No more worries, no more cares
She left them up in Bangor, Maine
Yeah she likes the boys with the southern drawl
Soakin' up the sunshine, havin' a ball
She'll be the first to tell you that she owes it all
To ridin' on a southbound train
Whoa...oh...
song performed by by Travis Tritt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Thr Railroad Tracks
Who lived across the railroad tracks?
A few of us whites, but mostly blacks.
These railroad tracks without even knowing
separated my town and kept it growing
into a segregated place.
I used to listen for the sound of the train.
As it rolled on by, it would never remain.
It just kept rolling to where it was going.
The engineer waved. The smoke kept blowing
into a segregated place.
Even when the trains stopped the rolling
the tracks will still there.They were controlling
the thinking of the people in our town.
So they kept the tracks there, never tore them down
in our segregated place.
Some were on the right side of the tracks, you see.
Some were on the wrong side of the tracks, like me.
They never took the tracks down from 60 years ago.
And the town I grew up in doesn't want to know
it's a segregated place.
poem by Edwina Reizer
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!