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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE LATE SHIFT by PATRICK MACGILL

First Line: SEVEN WAGGONS TO SIDING FOUR, ONE TO THE BUFFER / END
Last Line: FOR A MOURNING DRESS AT DAWN.
Subject(s): ACCIDENTS; DEATH; DISASTERS; HEAVEN; RAILROAD WRECKS; DEAD, THE; PARADISE; TRAIN WRECKS;
@3Mayhap there's a hitch in the signal wire,
Or the other points are drawn,
But some go out on the night-shift lone
That never come in with the dawn,
And a crimson splash on the engine wheel
Just tells of the shunter gone@1.

SEVEN waggons to siding four, one to the buffer end —
Damn you, watch! or they'll run you down. God, it's a hellish night!
Jimmy Collins is getting a wife — time he was making a bend —
There he's there at the dead-end points, signalling with the light.

"A good man out on the night-shift, Jim, willing — and ain't it queer,
There he's singing, the first time I've heard him in my life —
Yes, willing and straight is Jimmy, I've mated him seven year —
Damn it, it's blowing somewhat — and now he looks for a wife.

"See and look to your carcass, and watch! On a night like this
You never can tell the minute — where has that Collins gone? —
An engine punches your ticket — God, if your feet should miss —
Damn me! I think I'm nervous — signal the engine on.

"Two o'clock! I was certain 't was almost break of day —
Where is Collins? Oh, yonder. I'm wet to the very spine —
A train for the cross-road siding — pull it the other way —
Collins, you fool! what ails you? Jump to the other line!

"Collins, you idiot, jump it! ... Christ, he's down like a sack! ...
Surely he must have heard me. ... Speak to me, Jimmy, do.
... Tell me you aren't hurted — ah! the blood on track —
... I shifted the engine, Jimmy, but heavens! I thought you knew."

"Break it to her in the morning — I was thinking about her, then —
The wind was blowing awful — sudden the engine came. ...
... Whistle the box for the signal. ... Married to her at ten.
... Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name."

@3Mayhap there's a hitch in the signal wire,
Or the other points are drawn,
But a red stain gleams on the deadly flange,
And a night-shift man is gone —
And the bride to be has changed her robe
For a mourning dress at dawn@1.



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