When the wheels of trains become loose on the tracks

It is because there has been too much grease, or a lack

Relationships which come apart are like those wheels

They roll along fine as long as maintained with feel 



But when there is too much grease without the stack

Of love and nurturing which they require back-to-back

They come to a halt ... it's like that - they just cease to be

And then the warmth and understanding which was free



Changes course and the entire thing erodes the metal shaft

Upon which those wheels ran so freely every time asked

To roll and bear the weight of a train pulling so very hard

It chugs in and out of station after station, then to the yard



Where careful maintenance is applied each day after day

To keep those wheels running right to pull thru the haze

And as long as just the right amount of grease is applied

Then the train - just like the relationship - will survive



But too much grease will make that train slide on rails

Especially if other bolts are not checked to see they sail

Properly - without slipping or coming out of the groove 

Just as a relationship must continue to grow and move



And if there is too much grease and too little checking 

Then the bound hearts will come loose from suspecting

Other entities have entered into their overall picture

And some of these will have lessened the very pure



Nature of the bond which was filled to the very brim 

And which often overflowed as it merged with grins

Which made the hearts flutter with so much pure joy

It was so involving - there was goodness for this boy



And when the wheels started to grind and then stick

There was so much needed to say to get into the thick

But it had to have come from a good place deep within

Not a place where wheels had been let go to wear thin



- tristram

6:40pm Wednesday 12/17/97