An Unscheduled Stop

The iron cages stalk the land

They walk on metal, rock, and wood

The cold pervades and burns me now

The thunder loud and smoke adrift

But I retain my craft and charm

And trees still bend to serve my will

The cages halt within my land

Afeared of branches underfoot

I find the headman in the grass

"Pray tell your name, my goodly sire?"

"The engineer is who I am"

I waited, but he said no more

"An offer I would like to make-"

"You'll need to find the office, son"

"I'm sure it could be worth your time..."

"It matters not, I'm on the clock"

A whistle blew, and he leapt up

Once more within the iron womb

I stood alone; the cold remained.