Children playing on the tracks

distracted by games, bullies

or just having funsince day in and out

no train comes

whether in rain or sun.

Signs posted overhead

faded cracked, never read.

When a shrill whistle begins to blow

most ignore as they felt

they were in the know.

For no one’s ever seem a locomotive go.

Heard tales before

like all ancient people talk

of long ago.

But talk around

proclaimed

they would renew this line.

But who knew when,

though given an estimate time.

Parents needed

their children to remind

that possibly soon

for presented evidence

at city hall

what high officials

definitely had in mind.

But forgotten the notice

and not positioned to hear

although representatives came

saying:

“The train’s almost here!”

The announcements made

though mostly crystal clear

were not desirable

to the neighbors there.

Their children played

all the while

parents paraded or shaded

in the local town.

So the noise shrill

growing louder, the kids found

abrasive. So they stopped up their ears

so as not to discern the sound.