Bygone days, memories refrain
Seen out window of Blue Ridge train
“All aboard, take yourself a seat
Have tickets ready,” came loud entreat
Tourists stroll, gawk from across street
Soon unseen, out window of Blue Ridge train
Little row houses flank steely rails
Lush green grass; smell hay, see rolled bales
Leafed hills we climb, trusted ride snails
Simpler times, out window of Blue Ridge train
Lazy green river trails beside
Knee-high corn grows in meadows wide
Brown weathered barn stands stark with pride
Soft vistas, out window of Blue Ridge train
Fields, streams, woods, quiet as deep grave
Feelings of past, brood, new thoughts, save
See yesterday, back when we forgave
Sorrow clear, out window of Blue Ridge train
We chug along, next stop we dine
Nine miles north, Tennessee state line
Cross River Bridge, near a copper mine
Now in sight, out window of Blue Ridge train
Hours later, back from where we came
Forgot bygone battles, guilt, blame
Disembarked, sense made of life’s game
Found new view, out window of Blue Ridge train
-JOE COBB CRAWFORD
The Poetry Company