Renovo
In the switching yards
of Renovo, Pennsylvania
the men have nothing to do
but watch the weeds
grow under their wheels.
Their women keep house
boldly, supporting their men
despite the idle whiskey
that stains their lips.
The children play
as children always play
whether Daddy has a job
or not.
Third generation railroaders
who laid the tracks
that made America move
No longer
hear the whistle
nor the brakeman’s shout
of the great freights heading west.