THE ORANGE GLOW OF THE SUN SURRENDERS TO THE PINK AND PURPLE SKIES AROUND IT.
I HEAR THE DEAFENING THUNDER OF THE FRAGILE GLACIERS,
FALLING INTO THE ICY WATERS.
THEY SLAM INTO THE SEA, AS IT’S OMINOUS ECHOS
INVADE THE SNOW CAPPED ALASKAN MOUNTAINS
AND STIRS OUR SENSES.
THEY LIFT THE OCEAN SURFACE, FORCING THE
JEWEL TO ROCK FROM PORT TO STARBOARD.
THE INCESSANT RUMBLE OF THE DIESEL ENGINES,
REVERVERATING OFF OUR CABIN WALLS, POWERS
THE JEWEL TO SLICE FORWARD,
THE WIND AND WAVELETS YIELD THEIR WAY TO
THE UNRELENTING POWER OF THIS MIGHTY SHIP.
ONWARD —- TO YET ANOTHER PORT!
I CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE BRIGHT GREEN AND
YELLOW COLORS OF THE WHITE PASS & YUKON
LOCOMOTIVES, HUDDLED ON SKAGWAY’S PIER
WITH THE GLISTENING SNOW PEAKS SITTING
BEYOND THIS QUAINT AND CHARMING TOWN.
JUST AS JUNEAU AND KETCHIKAN WELCOMED OUR
COLORFUL CRUISER INTO THEIR STORIED PAST,
I WONDER WHAT ADVENTURES AWAIT US NOW —-
WHEN THE CONDUCTOR ANNOUNCES, ‘’ALL
ABOARD” THIS OLD, — RUGGED — RAILROAD.
J.L. LOBEL 9.17.2015
I love the lines, ” colorful cruiser into their storied past” , “locomotives huddled” and “rugged railroad “… so many great images and sounds. Thanks Joe.
A robust piece with many powerful, beautiful images. I want to hear for myself that deafening thunder of the fragile glaciers. Your description pulls me in and makes me want to see this with you. As with the conductor’s cry, “All aboard,” I am ready for the journey.