cain

[whitman]

I was born under a full moon on a night train
my father an ironsmith made steel for the tracks
and now that full moon has become my bane.

I lost my brother Abel my name is Cain
Now I drive a train my maker wants his tax
I was born under a full moon on a night train.

Driving I saw a wolf in a trap beneath the rain
Snake river swallowed the moon, wolves drank in packs
and now that full moon has become my bane.

In a tunnel my passengers wait for the sun in vain
In a meadow a farmer vexes a lamb with an axe
I was born under a full moon on a night train.

Traveling across a windless sunless plain
bearded men empty crucifixes out of sacks
and now that full moon has become my bane.

To the passengers I must really explain
I don't exist, only as one of my makers acts
I was born under a full moon on a night train
and now that full moon has become my bane.