Locomotion
I run my fingers over her circular wheels
I crawl into her cab
I stoke the flames of her firebox
Boiler pressure slowly rises
Her saturated steam building
Until it cries to be released
I cock the lever
A slow, circular rotation begins
The piston starts sliding in and out of her cylinder
Gradually, locomotion begins
Her wheels start spinning
Reciprocating faster and faster
Steam huffing and puffing
Boiler pressure reaches critical
At last, her whistle moans in the night
The reciprocation slows
As the destination is reached
Copyright © 2010 Cal Jennings
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