Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE END OF THE LINE, by THOMAS MCGRATH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE END OF THE LINE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The iron horse is rusting
Last Line: Baby, I tell you, the big train don't go there no more
Subject(s): Change; History; Railroads; Historians; Railways; Trains


The Iron Horse is rusting,
In the statue-fenced plazas of the nameless towns,
Who once crossed the wild prairies, cursing,
(Voice of feathers and smoke)
In his carbon rages, on his whirling shoes.

The mourning dove inherits his ancient voice;
But who will awaken the heroic sleeper out of his history --
That iron road to Noplace where he lately arrived
In a gunfire of oratory near where the soldiers lie?

Alas! Joe Hill, the millionaires have thrown your torch backward into this
future!
Where now the locomotive is burning among the patriots.
Fourth of July. Hot . . .
Daddy, what's at the end of the line?
Baby, I tell you, the big train don't go there no more.


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org




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