The New Year Begins.

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Outside Fargo, North Dakota


by James Wright



Along the sprawled body of the derailed

Great Northern freight car,

I strike a match slowly and lift it slowly.

No wind.



Beyond town, three heavy white horses

Wade all the way to their shoulders

In a silo shadow.



Suddenly the freight car lurches.

The door slams back, a man with a flashlight

Calls me good evening.

I nod as I write good evening, lonely

And sick for home.

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Hey, thanks for your thoughts and your time:>)

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