By Katherine Baker
I hear a train
piercing the night,
loud in the dark,
quiet in light.
Why does it cry
while mankind sleeps?
Most hear a whistle;
I hear a weep.
Screaming so soft
while on its course.
I know the sound,
hollow and hoarse.
It is the sound
my heart makes
when in my guilt
I lie awake.
Pray with me, train.
Whistle and moan.
God hears us cry;
He cares when we groan.
You whistle softer
while I cry more.
I don’t quite know
what I’m praying for.
There’s no more whistle.
The train’s moved on.
I strain my ears;
I know it’s gone.
Too sad to sob;
now I’m alone.
I add to silence
a voiceless groan.
Lord, hear me whistle—
only you hear—
calm all my guilt,
dry my new tear.
You’re there while I
whistle and wail,
hugging me softly,
though I would fail.
It’s not my job
to steer my soul.
Trains don’t have rudders;
the tracks take control.
You are my railroad.
You earned my keep.
And in that comfort
I fall asleep.
I hear a train
piercing my dreams.
Its whistle is peaceful,
for God redeems.
Katherine Baker loves to express the many thoughts and emotions she feels each day in the form of art. From music to poetry to stories to (depressingly amateur) drawing, she is always bubbling with an overflow of God-given imagination that she desires to share with everyone she meets. An overambitious free-spirit, she is always juggling her big ideas and her busy life. She will profess that every good thing she creates is not her own, but only possible through the finished work of her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Wow… that was awesome! What an amazing God given talent! 😊
Thank you very much! I’m so grateful God’s blessed me this way, and so thankful to Story Embers for giving me an avenue for this blessing, and so thankful for you enjoying it. 🙂
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with us. 🙂
You’re welcome. Thank you for reading it. 🙂
This was so beautiful <3 <3 <3. Thank you for sharing, Katherine – your talent with words is amazing!
Aww! Thank you very much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Wow, this nearly brought me to tears.
Wow, that is high praise! I’m so glad it meant something to you
I love this poem, Katherine! 🧡 I can almost hear the sound of a train whistle just reading it. Keep up the great work!
I’m so glad it puts such a vivid image in your mind. Thank you very much!
This is so touching and beautiful, Katherine. ❤ I love trains and this poem is just so lovely. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! I’m glad it touched you. Writing this poem gave me a new appreciation for trains.
Katherine, simply wonderful – this is like a prayer. In many ways, I can see how I’ve prayed it (or parts of it) so many times this past year. Thank you for sharing this with us. 🙂
Libby, I’m so glad you have seen yourself and your thoughts in this. Yes, it is very much my own prayer as well. It’s such a blessing to know God’s in control and guides us, even when we don’t feel worth it. 🙂
No words except beautiful <3 <3
Thank you. That’s really sweet of you. I’m glad you liked it.