From Our Porch

From Our Porch

Standing on the porch overlooking our valley,

Me and my brothers never viewed cities or alleys.

But in our view, coal cars were plenty,

Sitting idle until called upon, cold and bare and empty.

It was the way of life for those in the hills,

Some called them mountains, with many a hidden thrill.

We stood watching together, my brothers and me,

Around the bend in the valley blowing smoke into the trees.

Black and screaming the monster moved closer,

On rusty tracks puffing cinders what could be grosser?

But it was this monster that had the power,

To push the empty coal cars past the water tower.

It was a time of poverty and pain,

Those who lived there understand they’re about the same.

Pinching pennies, selling bottles, whatever could be found,

Helped added a few smiles and push away the frowns.

It was nobody’s fault nor blame was ever laid,

Because of the coal cars, all the bills were paid.

Our porch was our place on which we all stood,

Watching coal cars, puffing engines doing all that we could.

Gone is the time of the puffing dragon and cinder,

Gone is the time of the porch I remember.

Gone are the other two who stood beside me,

Waiting for the coal engine coming for us to see.

Within my heart, I carry these memories,

For many, upon empty pages, I weave wordy tapestries.

Some bring tears that I cannot contain,

While some bring smiles accompanied by pain.

Nevertheless, today I stand upon that porch as if new,

Within me, the scene has never changed but is brought into view.

Together we stood at that time far away,

Awaiting the moments that are still real to me today.

By: Dan R. Fowler

For: Astrid