They brave the night and cold,
rain and wind and snow unfold.
Risking life and limb, or at least
an angry Bull here and there,
they grab on, lever up into a
IM, grainer pocket, or even a gondola.
Catching out for far destinations,
route mapped out on their phones,
they hunker down, but lift a camera
so that the rest of us can watch too.
Once thought a dying breed,
their numbers swell with younger hoboes.
These have no trouble at all navigating
and documenting their every move online.
Surely the railroad workers and managers
are noticing this – they can also access Youtube.
But somehow, despite it all, the riders persist.
They describe issues like food and water and sleep,
all scarce when waiting in the brush for an outbound.
Much advance planning makes their rides smoother.
For me it would be far simpler to just buy
an Amtrak ticket.
But where is the romance in that?
Safe travels, everyone.
