The Chicago and North Shore Railroad
With the serenity of age
memories drift in like phantoms.
I see the ghost of the North Shore Line
rumbling off Greenleaf Avenue
into Wilmette station.
Looking like overgrown red and green
trolley-cars lumbering down the street.
Sparks drop from the overhead line
while the cars sway from
side to side like senile elephants.
The iron rails and bricks
sound like dull great drums.
The line obeys Wilmette’s speed law
until they swing out of the station
off the street, on to their own tracks…
to rush northward to
Forest, Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Glenco.
With each year
those dirty , uncomfortable cars
become more perfect and beautiful.
Perhaps, when I need transportation
to the pearly gates,
they will return for me.
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