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
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