Charles Jobson: The long trek

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< Poems by Charles Jobson >

The long trek

Imagine being caught in a train—
wheels pounding relentlessly on
looking out of the cold-framed window
earth hard tundra extends to the skyline.

That’s what life is like—
a dark continent ahead and behind
trying to fix a rogue element
somewhere on the way.

Technology seems to help—
a resonating electronic disc
lightening the sunless days
and the train stills pounds on

only now the leaf-filled panorama
gently takes the place of barren rocks—
unfortunately these leaves
are computer produced,

so the train reaches its final destination—
it’s time for all to disembark
and wonder why the tea they drink
is a non-herbal artificial concoction.