The Burnout Train
Ekphrastic Challenge April 2024
This poem was written in response to the Rattle® Poetry Ekphrastic Challenge for April 2024 and was ultimately not selected. You can find more information here.
https://www.rattle.com/ekphrastic/
The image that this poem was specifically written about can be found here. (April 2024 – Gerrie Paino's “Night Train”)
https://i0.wp.com/www.rattle.com/ekphrasis/EC24Apr.jpg?ssl=1
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The Burnout Train
Gathered from the hands of weary boarders to that boxcar
Their “tickets” to ride
Pink slips and pay stubs, letters of resignation and journal pages
Proof of their brokenness and the exhaustion of their souls
The conductor sings
“This train don’t take your money, this train.”
The passengers in refrain - a sigh
Breathed easy for the first time in a long time
Burdens lifted, they settle to their seats, relaxing in their comfort
“This train will heal your spirits, this train.”
Once downcast eyes and faces blank, now rise and smile
To meet the hope for what this train brings:
Promised peace and a place to rest, to let everything
That once had wore them down - let it go free to the wind
Be rejuvenated and to find a purpose once again
“This train ain’t bound for glory,”
Ain’t going nowhere, ain’t doing nothing.”
This here’s the Burnout Train, this train.”
-
“This train holds all you nurses, this train.”
All you nurses and healthcare heroes
Oh, how you stood so steadfast
While you pulled us through that dark and death
“This train holds all you nurses, this train.”
-
“This train carries you teachers, this train.”
All you teachers and educators
Those children you’ve instructed
They’re all brats and their parents know it
“This train carries you teachers, this train.”
-
“This train pulls all you workers, this train.”
You unappreciated workers
Unseen efforts that you do
When you work three jobs to keep bills paid
“This train pulls all you workers, this train.”
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“This train’s for all you burnouts, this train.
This train’s for all you burnouts, this train.
This train’s for all you burnouts,
Come ride when you can’t give no more.
This train’s for all you burnouts, this train.”
-
“Halle-Hallelujah-ah…this train.”
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Submitted under MRB
About the Creator
Rae Fairchild (MRB)
I love to write; putting pen to paper fills my heart and calms my soul!
Rae Fairchild is my pen name. (Because why not? Pseudonyms are cool!)
I do publish elsewhere under my real name, Mary Rae Butler. (Fairchild, an old family surname.)
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Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Comments (11)
Love this! Fantastic imagery here!
Congrats on top story! Well deserved🤠!
The imagery and rhythm create a poignant, resonant message. Keep writing and sharing your voice!💝💝
and congratulations on TS!!🥳
We all could ride this every now and then. Well done!!❣️
Fantastic writing.
Sounds like a sort of gospel verse atfirst🥰 very good 🌟
Great poem! Love the call to teachers…I’d climb aboard! Congrats on Top Story!
Congratulations 🎉
Congrats on your top story.
I love it! I am one of those riders on the train😊!