Not long ago, parents bought their children
model trains for Christmas. On December
mornings, just after they awoke, giddy
kids slid down banisters as quickly as
they tore apart wrapping paper which cloaked
carrot cardboard boxes holding raven
steam engines that pulled coal-laden tenders,
radiant searchlights, crane and boxcars,
and cardinal cabooses. Dads and moms taught
girls and boys to fashion straight and curved bits
of train track into voltaic figure eights-
magical infinities powering
locomotives spewing scented trails
of steam from miniature smokestacks
into wee alcoves of childhood fantasies.
Sweeder writes from Ocean City.
