Hometown Poem

Sounds of the Seasons – Phillips, Texas

Cold, dry winters, lonely train whistles
Mom matching pitches to piano keys
C-sharp sliding to C as engine passed
Demonstrating Doppler effect

Hot, dry summers, trains’ rumbling rhythms
Sharp accents as cars re-coupled
Kids crossing the tracks to Jolly Drug
Juke box playing Elvis Presley

 

Cool, crisp autumns, trains bringing crude
Refinery humming night and day
Noontime whistles crooning on high E-flat
Drum Majors signaling Sousa marches

Blustery springs, tank cars carry gasoline
Pipelines pump natural gas to Chicago
Dad listens to the Texas Playboys
Mom and I play Brahms piano duets

Martha K. Smith, April 10, 2014