Every year
unbelievable
the passion of interest manifest
and clever hands
Quite a layout
I say
Oh you know the terminology
no but my Daughter does
Down the entry path
a model train on tracks
leads us in
and then the start
of dioramas
four stories high
and little trains
on little tracks
and backdrop settings
so carefully real
if you were really little
you’d swear you were there
the Pacific West Northwest
and labelled towns
and buildings trees
hotels stations
people trucks
billboards boxcars
graffiti perfectly hand painted
and miniature golf courses
people playing
the man putting
the woman standing in the shade under the tree
and trains running
both ways
huffing and chugging
and whistles
and a trestle
with a tiny bungee jumper
hanging by a thread
places I haven’t been yet
but could and can and will
Chaz and Kristina
say been there done that
looks just like it
see that little thing
and excitement
all of us passing crowding through
apologizing out of each other’s way
and club members posted
to keep the trains running on the tracks
and explaining answering any question
their excited pride of sharing
what they’ve built and love
have you done Dunsmuir yet
we asked
we have a house there
not yet it’s on the list
and talking trains all night
neighbors guests and tourists
happy to compare where they’re from
and we thought of the Whistle Stop
that iconic Mother Store
on Colorado Boulevard
which carries any gauge you want
the Moving Neon Sign
you see for blocks away
I donated books on trains
they said we’ll find the right home for them
we thought of our dear neighbor friend
Caltech great and world renowned
had a beautiful extensive layout
upstairs until he took it down
the kids had moved away
and our Dunsmuir neighbor friend
big time with trains
his layout every year
we especially like the new addition
ice skaters moving on a frozen pond
and meeting the Scottish family
passing at the display entrance
talking trains and mountains back home
how far up have you been
the guy and his mother hiking to the top
and then a little nip of Scottish whiskey
I asked if it was reward
for climbing or incentive
and when are you climbing next
and we drove the few blocks back
to home and memories and savor
and all the ways that life is good
who would have thought
in little Altadena
so much of the world
can be
wherever you are