A Poem:

I can beat that train to the crossing,                                                                                        Y'all got nothing to fear.                                                                                                            I can beat that train to the crossing,                                                                                        Here, hold my beer.                                                                                                                    You know I live my life on the edge                                                                                           And you know that I'm a gambler,                                                                                             So  watch me beat that oncoming train                                                                                   In my 62 Nash Rambler.

I can beat that train to the crossing,                                                                                    You ain't seen nothing yet.                                                                                                    I can beat that train to the crossing,                                                                                    Hey--how'd the seat get wet?                                                                                                I know that I'm immortal                                                                                                        And I'm a man of action,                                                                                                        But you gotta stop screaming "we're all gonna die"                                                           You're causing a real distraction!

See, I beat that train to the crossing.                                                                                             Ha!  I told you so!                                                                                                                             I beat that train with room to spare and                                                                                        Wait--where the hell did she go?    

Joe, you waited 58 years to share this fantastic poem with us.  Please share with us some of the back story, if you can.  What inspired you to write it?  If I remember correctly, this style of poem has a particular name.  Anybody remember?  Judy Crust, ah yes!  I have some very fond memories, but nothing about trains.  I think it was submarine races on the river.  Russ

Thanks, Russ.  Actually it's all fiction.  I never married Judy for two reasons:  first, I never asked her, and second, if I had, she would have said "no" since she was already married.  This poem is Part 4 of a trilogy I'm working on, after much prodding from MaryAnn.   The poetry style was a result of my messing up the format more than anything.

Ah yes, e.e. cummings.  Now I remember -- he wrote in broken lines back and forth across the paper -- screw the rules!   For 1960 kids, it was extravagant.  All part of the process of us being such nice children and such radical young adults.  Just like you, Joe.  Working on Part 4 of a Trilogy, are you?  How is that going?  Prodded on from the grave.  It all sounds a little, as they say, "Joe Boydish".  Probably another reason Judy didn't marry you!