The Hit Single

There was a headlight and there was a horn It was a diesel horn and the headlight was seen to flicker To vibrate as it drew closer When the train passed it was felt in the feet of the people nearby Birds flew up and away circled for a while Then landed and resumed their business The last car finally disappeared down the long hill out of town It seemed especially quiet then Behind the block of houses Where that little girl was killed Riding her bike a few years back A car passing on the freeway hissed for a few seconds And then was gone A hanging metal sign like an occasional mouse Squeaked in an occasional breeze Sitting there with the window rolled down My seat back looking at the clouds Remembering some of the good times we'd had before the music started I felt only one thing The need for more music Pretty soon another train rumbled through And as it did I sang along