Somewhere in Kansas
a night train torches
through the dark stomach
of the prairie.

The man in the truck
on the rural route
turns his head
for just a moment
and wonders if
he has ever made
his father proud.

But only a moment.
Now he turns from
the disembodied flames.

At the crossroad
he signals left.
The engine hums
the ballad of whatever
comes after.