Puritan Comfort

Puritan Comfort


I want to live near a railway
I want to feel the rumble- a momentary riot
View the passing cold steel blur
As the extraordinary clatter fractures tranquility
Creating a closeness only brought on
By discomfort and humility

Each day will pass, a whistle will howl
And nightly, I’ll wait
For that regular growl
Of my passer-by friend, a lonesome companion

While rain churns out its patter, with a musical cadence
I’ll wait for the engine, with equivalent constancy
And as it passes, sink further into comfort
Knowing I’ve company, and nothing left to fear

And in the midst of winters grip
I’ll know it’s upcoming
Someday, someday, someday real soon
On a regular trip

So I wait

I want to live near a railroad
And from there, I wish to grow old
Which I will, graying hair and all
From spring to the newest snowfall
So that from time to time
I share a friend
And a presence to count on
And with that I will die
A happier end


(There seems to me to be a certain uniqueness of living next door to a railway. Yes, it’s probably an inconvenient situation most of the time… but think about it- you truly are never alone. It’s pretty much regular and most certainly does (in time) feel as if a long lost friend is strolling along the rail on a catch-up visit. I once learned somewhere that the Puritans wore long underwear most of the time- even though it was a complete discomfort. They had the mentality and belief that being uncomfortable and irritated by this choice of undergarments brought them to and kept them closer to God. They felt it was a constant attachment to their “savior” and creator. So… though I’m the farthest thing from a religious man, I thought the railway almost signified a tie in to that belief system. I think the yin-yang theory works well here- being that no one can enjoy comfort until they have experienced just a little bit of discomfort. And… as aforementioned, the good that can come from this discomforting situation- a "friend".)