The Engineer

The year was 1890 - steam was power
	and power meant speed
The trains so fast already - why more speed
	they thought they'd need
In just six days the mail reached
	California - freight and all
And sometimes faster on a special
	fast express long haul
I was an engineer and speed
	became my middle name
I knew just how to pump more steam
	for this I won acclaim
For years I'd run the rails - sharp curves-
	steep hills - caused no alarm
Whatever course the challenge laid
	I felt free from all harm
Then one day hilltop high ahead
	lay Dead-Man's-Gulch in sight
I reached to pull the throttle -
	found the lever frozen tight
I jerked the brake but nothing happened
	it was jammed also
We'd miss the curve before the bridge
	and in the canyon go
We raced past trees and boulders -
	left a mighty trail of smoke
Deep fear within me ‘rose - I felt
	my nerves begin to choke
My mind went blank - there wasn't any
	plan I could compose
Fear-stricken there I stood like stone -
	my hands and feet were froze
As if from nowhere someone jumped
	and grabbed the chopping axe
He broke the steam pipes joint by joint
	with slashing blows and hacks -
Then grabbed a bar of steel and out
	the cabin doorway flew
He walked the narrow rail
	as all around him hot steam blew
The bar he jammed within the brakes
	and wedged ‘til they locked tight
Then just as quick as he came - he was gone -
	completely vanished from sight
I dropped to my knees and began to pray
	as the train to a stop slowly rolled
I peered out the window - my eyes full of tears
	saw the canyon called "Dead Man" unfold
God answered my prayer long before it was prayed
	and I stayed on my knees for awhile
Then outside were voices and people were milling
	and each face bore forth a broad smile
They gave a loud cheer and they vowed a reward
	for a job done beyond all compare
But I said in reply - that it sure wasn't I -
	. . . . . .that an Angel had come from somewhere
I'm still an engineer and drive big trains
	that go real fast
But daily I thank God for Dead Man's Gulch
	back in my past
Now He's The Engineer who guides my life
	as days go by
I'm not at the bottom of Dead Man's Gulch
	. . . . . only God and I know why
Poem by Ron Baron

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