At the Station

Waiting on the platform
a trembly excitement grows
within us until someone calls
Here she comes!
and we feel the vibrations
of weight and power
shaking the platform
under our feet
and far down the line
a plaintive, melancholy
voice wails woooa
woooawoooo
louder and louder
closer and closer as
the monstrous black engine
bores down upon us
its giant wheels
slowing slowing
slowing
to a shuddering
stop
as the metal parts
scream and shriek
and the passenger cars
bump into each other
shattering clattering
while clouds of smoke and grit
swirl around us
burning our eyes
and we can finally
stop holding our breaths.

Bio: Barbara Larsen has been honored to be appointed Door County Poet Laureate by the Door County board for 2011-2012. Her duties are to support local poets and try to build a larger audience for the enjoyment of poetry in the county through a variety of means.