Farewell Train Poem by Whitney Nicole Albright*

I used to peer through my lace curtains
Watch the lightning bugs drift through the pecan tree
Daddy would tuck the covers gently
And Momma would kids my cheek.

It wasn't those old musical crickets
That lulled me to sleep in my summer gown
But the rumbles and whistles of the train
That rocked my little town.

I could depend on her horn every night at eight.
I knew grandma would soon hear her up the bend, too
She fell on the ears of everyone I loved
And gave me a comfort strong and true.

When I got older, I moved away
But still passed through the town to work
She'd stop me and make me late
And I'd roll my eyes at her

Yet still, when that horn rings in my ears
And echoes off the pine filled mounts
I have to shake my head and laugh
At an old friend I recount

When I come back to my parents to visit
I lay by my son and watch him slumber
And as I hear the echo of her drummer
I relive those sweet, precious summers.

Oh those trains were my lullabies
Music on long school days
Listened and heard like a part of the town
A part of me like Aprils and Mays.

Now I've heard it said that the good Lord sends his chariot
When we leave this world of pain
But I hope when I am ready
He sends me some ole train

Then I could ride her around the river banks
And remember all those who I've loved so well
The town folk would know, when they hear her blow
I'd be bidding my last farewell