Introduction (A Line)

A line, a tiny line
It moves over a still peculiar surface
Sliver of glass, it moves with purpose
It worms its way along
A silver worm on purpose, pointed
Snakes, curves
A little aluminium snake
Aimed at something
Swerves, going someplace
Has a plan or not, late or not
On time for an appointment or not

Through valleys, hills
Grey flat terrain
The great snake rattles
Segments flash, extend
Reel together, crash
The hollow silver monster speeds
Hoisted on spinning iron wheels
Raucous black bogeys
Dance in sparks beneath
The train gangs on
The beaded windows glare
Pale faces stare, look
We guess we ride a very queer
Once only train

Well upholstered, victualed, yes
First, second lunch and buffet
Snacks are there, all right
The service is old-fashioned, ponderous
But somebody is looking after us
And if you care to fight your way
Along the narrow cluttered floor
The lavatories still flush with windy roar
The lights come on at night, bang
And another tunnel, black
The map springs shut
Dark landscapes, packed in cables
Swing at the windowpane
A smell of cordite, bang
And we're out again
Fires from another mountain under
Over another plain
Dull wonder in the eyes of faces new
Framed in the glass compartment door
A few more bodies piled upon the rack
A few more trunks stacked in the corridor
And pinstriped legs in corner seats
Are braced more firmly against the sliding door
We ride the one time, one-way
Standing only, overcrowded lonely train