Art Deco

Standing at the station

Early in the morning

Sun still sleeping

Not yet beginning its steep climb.

 

Imagining only

Wide brim hats

On scurrying men

 

Dangling cigarettes

 

Women in bright red and black

Puffed shoulders

Squared with purpose.

 

Moving luggage,

Racked and matched

Aftershave and negligee

Passing with familiarity

And slight regret.

 

Sweet cacophony swirling up the dome.

 

False toothy porter smile

The slight of hand

Tipping the next move

 

Tennessee Williams’ sweet trains

Straining to hold on

 

Dining cars with

White linencloths and black humans

Sacrificing spirit

To serve roast turkey

To the toothless boy

With the hollow smile.

 

Legends die

One foot on the platform

One foot in the air

Looking for a train

In almost the time it took to breathe

No more food for the iron horse

Sleek and beautiful Pegasus reigns.

Ponderous chieftains wonder

at the death of all the buffalo

 

The tracks have switched

Red lanterns all the way down the line

Crepe and sorrow

For the long black funeral train