Masterworks Series: The Third-Class Carriage

Riding

Quietly he sleeps at my side

In the jarring respite of

Our journey by rail.

I think back to the days

When travels took more time –

Time afoot

Or time harnessing the horse
For the carriage

(If one had a horse and carriage).

Now we ride on steam and promise,

Hoping to find a better way

To put food on the table

And more secure shelter

For our living.

We travel farther and faster

With steam and iron

Than my own parents could have imagined.

Today 
The boy rests easily

While the train moves forward.

Tomorrow 
He finds work in the city.

                                                        ~ CK

________________________________________
Image: The Third-Class Carriage at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Artist: Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879)
Date: ca. 1862–64
Medium: Oil on canvas

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