Sidetracked

When you go riding on the cars

     Along the country ways,

From out the rattling window panes

     Quite warily you gaze.

And as a station you approach

     You crane your neck to see

When lo! A freight lines either side

     And hides the scenery.

You hoped our trip would be relieved

     By seeing something new;

The ugly freight was lying there

     To spoil your every view.

No matter what the route you took,

     In coach or parlor car,

The same old freight was sided there

     The scenery to mar.

Through life we find it e’er the same,

     Upon the great highway;

We hope to see a brighter morn

     At each unfolding day.

But when we have our eyes affixed

     Upon some picture bright

A cloud, just like the sided freight,

     Obscures it from our sight.

And so it goes day after day,

     Our whole life journey through;

We look out through life’s window panes

     To get a better view.

But this we know: the Heavenly road,

     On which I hope to ride,

Won’t have at every stopping place

     Long freight trains on the side.

c. Dec. 19, 1908

       (typed and submitted, Dec. 14, 1909)