Steam on

Steam on

Steam on.

A reassuring chank and chundle
presses into the spring sunshine
like a well-remembered friend.
The taste and sight of funnelled clouds,
loose oil,
burning coke,
tang the throat and mist the eyes.
Relentless
thrusts and pulls motion to the grass
which compacts beneath the growl
of this regal relic
as wheels turn and distances grow.
A rattle-bag of movements translated into steam
harnessed and ready
awaiting only the release of a lever,
the whim of a driver.
This is no careless speedster,
no plastic facaded pretender.
This is king of the highway
monarch of gated roads
and rutted lanes.
Time traveller of slower days
and simpler times transposed
into the bustle of today
imposing wonder.
Still leaves in its wake
the open-mouthed starings
of space-age children.

Steam on.