boxcar rolling

 boxcar rolling

boxcar rolling down the railroad track

goes clickity clack

sure is hauling a long heavy load

don't know what it is

but it does not smell good.

years ago, it would be hauling corn

in great big sacks

it might be bringing in a load of wood

we'd say thumbs up

because we knew we could.

[Photo at ejearchive.com]

     well, there's a boxcar rolling by

     oh, it's trouble to the sky

     now we know the load can kill us in a flash

     I hear a train, I want to run

     louder rumbles sound like a gun

     these are scary times down by the railroad tracks. 

years ago, it might be hauling steel

for metal racks

it might be bringing our food supply

the loss of which would

only make grown men cry.

today, it could be hauling liquid death

seeping out the cracks

today, the load is told about in quiet words

'cause our economy could

easy make grown men die.

     well, there's a boxcar rolling by

     oh, it's trouble to the sky

     now we know the load can kill us in a flash

     I hear a train, I want to run

     louder rumbles sound like a gun

     these are scary times down by the railroad tracks. 

gah

***

Please click here to read a note re Canadian Railroad Trilogy

Prose: slow ride quick death

[“I don’t usually sleep very well when I’m away from home. One morning, during a recent trip to visit my son and his family in Fenelon Falls, I awoke with a start.” gah]

slow ride quick death


in a flash I was awake
in a dark room - still alive
I felt a warm bed cover
on my shoulder
but a hot question
on my startled mind
what happened? I said
perhaps aloud

I closed my eyes
thought backward cautiously
to the scene of the explosive crash
to the sound of my heart
beating in my ears

only seconds earlier I’d been dreaming
driving my car up a small hill
and the only other passenger,
my wife, was making small talk
as we neared the crest
a car appeared
full speed ahead
in our lane, a wide chrome grill
aimed at my eyes


one second left of life
one thought - this is it
one scream - oh no
one impression - surprise absolute
the surprise of arriving
at an unexpected destination unannounced

I opened my eyes
stared at the wall -
still alive

gah

***

I hope this won’t be a recurring dream whenever I visit Fenelon Falls.

Please click here for wee prose more cheerful.

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Timely Prose: fire

together, we
can walk through fire.

alone, oft times
not,

because the strike
of a match
alone
can be too much.

gah

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I Won’t Be Drinking Whisky Anymore

Backgrounder: “Boozers ran in my family. Most are now dry or passed away, but I am filled with sadness when I recall my mother’s story about the day she lost her father due to his years of hard drinking. I lost a few school and work days as a young man due to terrible hangovers - and that was enough for me. ‘Everything in moderation,’ as my mother used to say.” gaharrison

I Won’t Be Drinking Whisky Anymore

Verse 1. I won’t be drinking whisky anymore.
I won’t be drinking whisky anymore.
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I won’t be drinking hard whisky anymore.


2. I won’t be singing songs all through the night (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I won’t be singing my sad songs all through the night.

3. I won’t be yelling words that cuss your name (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I won’t be yelling loud words that cuss your name.

4. I’ll try to bring you home a steady pay (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I’ll try to bring you home some steady pay.

5. I’ll save up hard, buy you a summer dress (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I’ll save up hard, buy you a new summer dress.

6. I won’t be drinking whisky anymore (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I won’t be drinking hard whisky anymore.

gah

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Hit Singles: Down I Lay Me Down

Backgrounder: “This song was written several years ago in the months before my father passed away. When he learned his cancer had returned he decided against any further operations and treatment. I admired his bravery, his clarity of mind and wrote this in his voice as if he was looking back over his lifetime.” gaharrison

Down I Lay Me Down

Verse 1. I’m getting old, my hair is gray,
I may not have too many days.
My mind can’t help but turn around
to see my footsteps on the ground.
I’m looking back over all my years,
reaching for what I hold dear,
My arms are full, my family’s near.
Down I lay me down.


["G.D. Harrison - his younger days"]

Chorus:

‘Down I lay me down to sleep,
pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
take me home, (take me home).
If I should die before I wake,
bless my soul for Jesus’ sake.
Take me home, (take me home).
Down I lay me down.

2. Storms of life, my wife faced a few,
we had doubts at time, but then we grew
To understand love’s our goal
to work for over time I’m told.
I guess with age we wiser get,
pay our way, leave no debt.
Try to live with no regret.
Down I lay me down.

3. I always felt most at rest
down country roads, they seemed the best
place to watch birds catch the breeze.
They always put my mind at ease.
I traveled down many roads,
from wander-lust, a thirst to roam.
All those roads led back to home.
Down I lay me down.


["Five chips off the old block"]

4. Made a home, my wife and me,
kids a-plenty on each knee.
Lives to share, hands to hold,
they were my help as I grew old.
No worries now, no doom and gloom,
I know I will see you soon,
I’ll just be in the other room.
Down I lay me down.

gah

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Now That They’re Gone

Backgrounder: “This is a short song, a reminder to treat my friends and family well, and to let them know they mean a lot to me - while I have the opportunity. Part of the song’s inspiration came from learning a fellow teacher (and good friend when we taught together) had died, in the same hospital my dad passed away in, and I didn’t even know he was ill. And after each of my parents died I quickly learned how much I missed them.” gaharrison

Now That They’re Gone

1. I miss my friend now that he’s gone,
I miss him so now that he’s gone.
The Reverend told me that he passed on.
And he went to heaven far too young.
Yes, he went to heaven far too young.

I miss my Mama now that she’s gone,
I miss her so now that she’s gone.
The Reverend told me that she passed on.
And she went to heaven far too young.
Yes, she went to heaven far too young.

2. I miss my Papa now that he’s gone,
I miss him so now that he’s gone.
I know things now I didn’t know then,
And I’d like to tell him he is my friend.
Yes, I’d like to tell him he is my friend.

I miss all these folks now that they’re gone,
I miss them so now that they’re gone.
I know things now I didn’t know then,
And I’d like to tell them they are good friends.
Yes, I’d like to tell them they are good friends.

GAH

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