Cold steel rails drink the midnight air
My Pentax clicks caught in the glare
Coal cars sleep on rusted spines
Watchman walks the signal lines
Yellow beam writes psalms on gravel skin
Holy glow where the night begins
No siren song no neon prayer
Just steady light in dirty air
Shutter snaps the breath he exhales
Thermos steam rides the frozen rails
Badge catches glint tin star worn smooth
He guards the dark makes the quiet prove
Viewfinder frames his patient pace
Boot heels mark time in this forgotten place
Lens drinks the dark develops slow
Silver salt on a negative glow
Yellow beam writes psalms on gravel skin
Holy glow where the night begins
No siren song no neon prayer
Just steady light in dirty air
Train horn moans low a cello note
Watchman pauses adjusts his coat
My finger rests on the advance lever
Time stands still then moves forever
Dawn bleeds pale through the lattice fence
Night shift ends the watchman's gone hence
I pack my bag catch the outbound freight
His flashlight taught me how to wait
Yellow beam writes psalms on gravel skin
Holy glow where the night begins
No siren song no neon prayer
Just steady light in dirty air
That steady light in dirty air
Shutter clicks shut negative dry
First snow falls on the rail yard sky
