Creosote and snowballs
Creosote and snowballs
Fresh fallen this january snow covers the old coal sheds in town
in the distance we hear the diesel’s whine
Yet we stood ready our collection of snowballs
near our feet the scent of creosote and snow
They are coming
Down the slope to the tracks we aimed our arms
to test the distance of the throw
The mornin sun glints off from the aluminum Pulman cars
but we stood ever vigilant
The excitement builds
Ah the wars fought by gallant ten year olds
against the railroad kings in small town America
nearer and nearer the diesel air horns piercing
finally we hear the screeching iron wheels
And the war begins
Snowball bombs raining down on the surprised faces
of the giant fear bound passenger cars
Ten year old warriors roaring as if Scottish clans at the gates
throwing all that we had
Yet not a broken window found
As the train slows for the station
And we run in retreat like never before as if our lives
depended on the distance placed
Waiting waiting waiting for the black and whites
the uniformed enemy of a children everywhere
But they never come we defeated the enemy once again
EdF
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Ohhh! I remember standing by the railroad tracks with my brothers waiting for the train to come down the tracks. Brothers would throw the snowballs as I shivered in the cold and watched them. Childhood memories are so treasured. I enjoyed this poem, Ed. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Take care dear poet.
Great memories of childhood, and the mischief that can never be forgotten. Much enjoyed Ed. Cheers!