Love The Train Set [rev.] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

My 86 year old dad is entranced by trains - went to
the Chinese shop to see what they've got - sighted
a lovely discount toy train set perfect for his delight,
emboldened I bought him a steel steam locomotive
too, an ornament to complement the set

I want to help dad set up tracks and get the train to
run around their new house down in the Cape; also
found him a Swedish cap - can't wait to see Conan
wearing this while we are playing, wish I could fly
there right now and watch his face, forget there

Ever was a time I could not stand him because of his
angry voice - I've always had a fetish with noise - but
today I love him so much, knowing what he had been
through - amazed he survived when he landed under
the hooves of mules as a boy - and when

He had to steal coal to warm his cold parental home
where without beds he and his siblings slept in old
coats on the floor; oh, how he will love the train set,
I can't wait to get there!

[11 July 2014]