Westward

New-laid tracks along late-century land
support silver steam trains smooth as snakes
that yawn & swallow those claiming to charm;
slithering sleek paths along abandoned stations
stretching across careless kilometers uncounted
until destinies of distance are more miracle than dream.

Midwestern melted butter prairie layered over popcorn field...
a sudden silver knife flashes through the plains
slicing through the empty without dividing emptiness,
running along the lips of sunset rivers kissing liquid skies,
touching tender tips of snowflakes on the pale plateau -
fluid locomotive movements swallowed by mountain tunnel mouths.