If I Was a Train

[couchgrouch]

If I Was a TrainIf I was a trainI'd be a slow crawling freightthe only passenger I'd takeis a mem'ry in a cold boxcarsourmash would be my dieselmy path would be smooth n peacefulwhere the rails are mirrors for the starsif I was a trainI'd roll each sidetrack n hidden railseek out ev'ry silver traillaid across forests n weed fieldscos miles are for kissin' not for countin'and I'd kiss ev'ry desert n mountainwith my pale eye and wheelsI say I'd search but really it's escapethat'd keep me movin' and nowhere boundfor the same woman's shadow and shapewaits at the depot of ev'ry ghost townfor if I was a trainI'd leave midnight freightyardsblack smoke pouring from that carfrom an old flame that won't go awaywhen I find them I chase off old facesbut my heart has too many empty spaceswhere regret can stowawayif I was a trainwasted time would be the engineerand he'd stop at ev'ry deserted yearagain and againI'd drain my jug and blow my whistlecurse the track as I crossed the trestlethat divides me from her and now from thenyeah, if I was a trainI'd be a slow crawling freightthe only passenger I'd takeis a mem'ry in a cold boxcar(c)2005 Robert George