BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE

Written by William E. Spear

For The Three Fifty-seven

Hello. This is The Three Fifty-seven and my name is William Spear.

Today’s story – BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE – was inspired while standing on a station platform in central New Jersey, USA.

Commuting is a large part of many people’s work routine. Waiting for the eastbound 6:05A is more an exercise in safety rather than gaining insight on one’s place in the universe.

But one railroad warning had a deeper meaning.

Before the philosophical moment, please note today’s post is part of Funding Friday. The third Friday of each is currently our only scheduled request for considering the different ways of supporting The Three Fifty-seven.

We may drop in other requests from time to time. And, probably put in a fixed link in the menu. But we are using the third Friday of each month, Funding Friday, as a means to regularly encourage financial support.

Consider all of this as literary busking: we entertaining you first and then asking for your support later.

Now that we’ve forewarned you with our intent, enjoy BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE.

BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE

Once upon a travel mine
From a station – train –
With joy, no disdain.

On the platform spending time
When writing was seen.
Insightful, not mean.

Safety, true, is always fine,
Were the words’ intent
And by human sent.

I stared in wondrous divine
Marveling simply.
Quiv’ring goose pimply.

“Stand behind the yellow line.”
I repeated the same
To imprint my brain.

“Stand behind the yellow line”
And prevent the train
From inflicting pain

Said me, myself, and mine.
“Who would dare risk it?
“Passenger train hit!”

Sage advice for staying fine.
Avoid the ocher.
Don’t get train broker.

As if on cue one roared by
And rattled me through
To my soul and shoes!

Although the warning heeded,
And the pain not met,
I soon made a bet.

A wager, big, was needed
To challenge the thought
That yellow lines sought

To alert only dangers.
But allowed to say,
Ev’ry single day

“Take a chance. A little chance.”
No, not with the train
That would not be sane.

Something small. Maybe a dance!
On a sidewalk street.
Nothing big. Petite.

Or maybe, drive a diff’rent
Way home. Take the right,
Not left, on this night.

Try with the belov’d pizza
A diff’rent topping.
There is no stopping

The marv’lous chances you’ll see.
Bigger or smaller?
Some even taller!

So, however way you choose,
Come out from BEHIND
THE dread YELLOW LINE.

The End.

You’ve just read BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE written by William Spear for The Three Fifty-seven..

This presentation is part of Funding Friday to encourage readers and listeners to support the channel.

To that end, the image is a link to Buy The Three Fifty-seven a Cup of Coffee.

If not a cup of coffee, which is always in short supply, how about sharing this post or even the website.

A like can help spread the word, too. If you are a bit better than when you arrived, let us know. We would appreciate that.

However you choose to interact with The Three Fifty-seven, please know, in all its iterations, is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for joining.

WESJr