February, 1878

February 8th, 1878 South of Trout Creek, west of Cedar Lake On a winding mountain trail of the North Pacific Union Rail The snow arrived on time, the circus train was running late Rip spot’s past and all the knuckles worn Firebox bursting to the running boards A pounding in his chest, crushing like a cider press The hogger rode the throttle ‘round the bender like a flank-strapped horse As Elephant adressed the frightened animal car: [ELEPHANT] "Let’s return now to the dust as the dust we are; Tonight, our bridal fate, the hour’s come to consummate!" And drove her massive body like a truck into the iron bars Limestone thrown from out the hopper’s back Ash Cat tossed against the diamond stack From cradle to caboose, the frozen bolts broke loose Sent that cage spinning like a dreidel off the icy tracks Run on, Rabbit, run! Before the East sky wakes the Sun! Sails set to the dreadful cold Until your anchor-heart takes hold Run on, Fox and Bear From this dismal dream’s despair! Cast thoughts to in the open ocean of air Until your thread catch somewhere [ANIMALS] "Mother, please come along!" They cried, but the elephant remained inside: [ELEPHANT] "My tusks are dull, my eyes, half-blind Too old to run, too big to hide And have neither friend nor enemy Nor that phantom, ‘self’-identity Nor concern for what ‘they’ll’ do to ‘me’ Now, my children, run free!" But Tiger, why sit still As the officers climb the hill? What stars cast down their spears Cooled your fire with their tears? [TIGER] "Gone that siren’s sound It’s a silence now pours down Gone, my next of kin And all once without now lives within" [FOX & RABBIT] "Topiary Tiger, once burned bright Save your tales of Gnostic sight And take heed on this auspicious night! Topiary Tiger, once burned bright"