WHEN TRAINS COLLIDE IN FINLAND <br />By Reid Baer <br /><br />Somewhere between the ocean and the land <br />late one night scurrying around the sand <br />I searched for anything that would burn <br />driftwood <br />cardboard <br />pick up sticks. <br />I scavenged for hours <br />for something to light <br />but there was nothing dry … <br />but I was strong, willful, and resourceful <br />so I lit my stage <br />of life <br />and before my own damned bonfire <br />I danced and danced like <br />there was no tomorrow <br />and risked all the previous lies <br />from yesterday – oh my - did I say <br />I hopped a coastal freight train once? <br />Oh, that was a beautiful rail ride into San Manteo <br />when I was so wet behind the years <br />so young <br />so reckless <br />so very high - <br />oh yeah, I took that big dive! <br />I laid it all out like I could fly! <br />Hell, I didn’t care <br />if I made it out alive <br />but between you and me <br />my sweetheart wife <br />that was then and this is now <br />and I’m older <br />and maybe a little wise … <br />today I pray with all my heart <br />at least my fragile mind survives.
