Orphan Train Poetry
Editor's Comments
Below are expressed the composite feelings of Orphan Train riders I have met over the years. The poems are not meant to describe the feelings of any particular rider.
As of 9/13/2006, these poems are only published here. They were written for the use of this website. I understand that some competitions only allow the use of poetry if it has published in a book. If this is true, then they are the poorer for not letting these riders be represented in America's history.
Journey's Begining
By D. Bruce Ayler
STOP THAT YOUNG THIEF!
HE STOLE MY BREAD!
HANG THE THIEF!
UNTIL HE IS DEAD!
HANG HIM WAY UP HIGH!
HE'LL STEAL NOT AGAIN!
FEET DANCING IN THE SKY!
TO STEALING PUT AN END!
Turned out into the street,
Hunger is his only sin.
No one will his needs meet,
No one will take him in.
Bad blood flows in his veins!
No better than his Mom or Dad!
No comfort to soothe his pain,
Remember-- HIS BLOOD IS BAD!
Is there not another way
To meet his hunger's need?
Find him work every day,
Food for labor be the creed.
Better to move him to the west
Than stay here to be hung.
Better face life's hard test
With new tales to be sung.
Send the problem westward,
Put him upon a distant farm,
Where bad blood can do no harm.
Isolate him from his past,
Take away his very name.
Leave no hint for when at last
He seeks from whence he came.
Tell him not of Mom and Dad,
Nor even where sister be.
Such will only make him sad,
Better he have no memories.
Westward riding upon the rails
Such strange sounds and sights!
Fear of the unknown assails,
His young mind full of fright.
Off the train at each station,
He lines up for all to see--
Siblings spread across the nation,
Breaking up his small family.
Growing up throughout the years,
Holding pain down deep inside--
Allowing none to see his tears,
Determined his hurt to hide.
He spoke not of whence he came,
His past is deep mystery,
His children know not his pain,
They have no family history.
Always he tried to find
Where sister was sent to live--
Not knowing plauged his mind,
No one would information give.
He prays to see her face
Just once more before he dies--
To feel her warm embrace,
As she wipes tears from his eyes.
The Orphan's Price
By D. Bruce Ayler
What is this busy place
With all its rush and noise?
Just where are we going?
Do I Have a choice?
Where is it we are going?
Why do I stand in line?
To a place beyond your knowing!
Hush now! Don't you whine!
Climb on up there now!
Get aboard the train!
Quickly find your seat!
Go on in out of the rain!
With blowing whistle and a jerk
The train leaves this day.
Most of my kin are left behind
All I know is torn away.
With gathering speed
The train pulls away.
I know not the value of
What is lost this day.
The small ones cry as we leave
Others, with noses to windows pressed
Sensing loss, some start to grieve
Others, are with new sights impressed.
Swaying cars and clacking noise,
Lull to sleep tired girls and boys.
Tomorrow's unknown makes fitful sleep,
Fearful child, his own council keeps.
Why all the sudden fuss
As we pull into station strange?
How do we make them choose us"
For new Mamas and Papas arrange?
Yes'um I'm strong for my age!
Yes, I have all my teeth!
I'll sing a song upon the stage!
Anything at all to please!
Yes'um, We'd sure like to be
Your new little girl and boy.
But she is my sister, you see!
I can't leave her like broken toy!!
Don't take my sister away!
She's all the family I have!
She's too high a price to pay
Just to get a new Mom and Dad!
My pounding heart is about to break
As my sister's train pulls from sight.
Even new Mama's chocolate cake
Is little comfort this tragic night!
Passing years eased not my pain,
Knowing sister is far down the track.
Longing to see her face once again,
Hoping the train will bring her back.
Does sister even remember me?
Does she know where to look?
Am I but a faint memory, or
Which track the train took?
Am I uncle to her girls and boys?
Does she tell them who I am?
Am I but forgotten noise
Lost in some far and distant land?
Though I love my children dear,
They will never be allowed to see--
How I paid the cost each year,
Holding my pain deep inside of me.
My children will never know,
The warmth of my sister's love.
She'll not see them as they grow,
Nor correct them as they push and shove.
Oh, how I long to see
Just once more before I die--
My sister walk up to me
And wipe the tears from my eyes.
Dream or Memory
By D. Bruce Ayler
Why calls the train whistle to me?
Why yearn I for clacking rails?
Of what import can belching smoke be?
Why mixes sadness with whistle's wail?
Why dream I of a far-off land
Showing me a place I cannot go?
Why feel I touched by another's hand?
How can I know what I cannot know?
Whose hand do I hold
In that dream-like far off land?
Whose voice begins to scold
When I make my small demands?
Why dream I of constant sway
And of the loud clacking sound?
Why ride we onward day after day?
Why are people gathered round?
Why has the hand left the train?
My friend no longer comforts me.
I ride onward through the rain,
Onward towards my unknown destiny.
Does my mind from reality flee?
Can there be such a far off place?
Why do distant sights upon TV
Make long buried emotions race?
As I awake, illusive threads of dream
Disappear like shifting slipping sands.
Were these memories as they seemed?
Came I from that far- off land?
The dream haunts me through-out my life.
Just where is this far- off place?
Will going there end my uncertain strife?
And far away my ghosts chase?
If I ever find my friend's hand,
Just whose hand will it be?
Will I recognize that far-off land
When it at last becomes reality?
The Not Knowing
By D. Bruce Ayler
Just who am I? Of whom did I spring?
Could not you bear my infant's cry?
How could I have been so mean,
That you broke our bonding tie?
Was it really your love for me,
That caused you upon that sad day--
To curse me to eternal unknowing,
When you cast me so far away?
Tell me, how did I hurt you?
Or were you just so very poor?
Was I just an embarrassment?
Excess baggage tossed out the door!
Why won't you let me know you?
Why won't you remove my doubt?
Why make me feel so unworthy?
Unwanted garbage thrown out?
I am someone important!
I did not do you wrong!
But with no binding family tie,
How can I feel that I belong?
Oh yes, I was adopted,
I was given the love I need.
But I can never forget,
How you cast off your seed!
That thought haunts my every day,
It affects everything I do,
It hurts in so many uncounted ways,
My never knowing you.
Which Family's Real?
By D. Bruce Ayler
My Mama, I did not know.
As a baby I traveled out west.
She had to let me go
Doing what she thought was best.
A new family took me home
And cared for me tenderly--
They made sure I was not alone,
They gave all their love to me.
They taught me right from wrong.
They provided me food and clothes--
They helped me to belong,
Their love helped me to grow.
When needed, Daddy set me straight,
Pointing the way I must go--
Encouraging me when fear said WAIT!
Helping me learn what I must know.
MaMa and Daddy were right here.
I know not who gave me birth--.
They were close all these years,
To show me life's sweet worth.
These are my real Dad and Mom.
They did not give me life--
Their love helped my fears calm,
They drove away my strife.
If someday, my birth mother I see,
I wonder just what I'll do--
She's not really my family!
Too many years of wondering who!
"Back There"
By D. Bruce Ayler
Don't expect too much from her!
She isn't quite as smart as you!
Turn around! Don't you stare!
At the kid from "Back There"
We are doing her a favor
By letting her live with us!
Here are hand-me-downs for her to wear,
The new kid from "Back There".
But why should I care
If I hurt her feelings
And cause her to despair?
After all, she's only from "Back There"!
She's not really my sister!
She only lives here with me.
Why must I help her with her hair?
She's only a kid from "Back There".
Just where is this "Back There"
Where no one is just as good?
The way I'm treated isn't fair!
I wish that I understood!
Someday, I will show that
I'm just as good as you!!
Then you'll know just what
A kid from "Back There" can do!!
"The Train Ride"
By D. Bruce Ayler
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Rolling down the road-
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Carrying precious load.
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Moving way too fast!
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Farm land flying past.
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Whistle starts its wail--
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Orphans ride the rail.
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
States go flying by-
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Children asking why?
Screeching brakes and hissing steam
We go rolling into town.
Children moving in a dream-
Slowly climbing down.
Children marching to the hall
Put up for all to see-
Frightened faces standing tall
Stranger's faces a mystery.
Needed boys to work the farm
Girls to help mother dear-
Strong muscles in the arm
Strange faces much too near.
Agreement made and papers signed
This family takes just one-
Back on the train sister climbs
Traveling towards the sun.
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Brother's gone she cries-
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Whistle's lonely sigh.
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Flying through the night-
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Children filled with fright.
Again the screeching wheels
As train comes into town-
Local venders making deals
As food is eaten down.
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
So many have now been placed-
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
As trains onward raced.
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Who are they that took the ride?
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
The ones history tried to hide.
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Where are they who rode long ago?
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
Their children want to know!
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
ooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo-
Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a
ooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo