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

]

let's return now to the dust as the dust we are;