WIDEWATER WEST VIRGINIA – 1981

Three railroad tracks are laid astride
the well-worn bricks of an ancient village street.
Bent fork tines; one crosses two – splayed like an unequal sign –
‘neath the sole and sagging stop light in this mountain county seat.

"One track's for coming and one's for going"
the ruralverbal gerbilssay... then wait.
Hitchhiking visitors must make the next line,
knowing how tomis-take their role in the locals play.

"What's the third track for?", I say,
as if born to act within such scenes on time.
"That's the one most folks use for us anymore...", they chime –
a chortling chorus when they respond – "It's for staying away."

Insight strikes thrice outside of town,
on a barnside all but falling down,
Beat to hell with age and weather,
with not six grey slats still fit together.

In Gold on a Blue background, repainted just this year
– against "lack of standing" so secured; Hope serenely trumping Fear
– a withy country sage and wit has his three secrets boldly lettered,

We

belieVein theFuture

... and theMountaineers!

by Lawler X. MacGregor

(Back to Rob Downey's Eight timely tactics blog post.)