Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/Broken Rails
BROKEN RAILS
The swift express that never fails
Sweeps onward to its journey's end,
And wife and child and happy friend
Look forward to the city's pales,
Unconscious of those broken rails.
A plunge, a crash, no time to slack,
The swift express has jumped the track,
And shrieks and moans and dying wails,
And fearful flames with lurid light
Make hideous the coming night.
No wonder that the brave heart quails
Along life's dark uncertain track,
Man knoweth not what hour to slack
Or where to find the broken rails.
Sweeps onward to its journey's end,
And wife and child and happy friend
Look forward to the city's pales,
Unconscious of those broken rails.
A plunge, a crash, no time to slack,
The swift express has jumped the track,
And shrieks and moans and dying wails,
And fearful flames with lurid light
Make hideous the coming night.
No wonder that the brave heart quails
Along life's dark uncertain track,
Man knoweth not what hour to slack
Or where to find the broken rails.