Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE GATES ARE DOWN, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE GATES ARE DOWN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The gates are down, but I wonder, I wonder
Last Line: Out on the red tracks, dying -- dying!
Subject(s): Railroads; Railways; Trains


The gates are down, but I wonder, I wonder,
Why so many are dodging under,
Out on the tracks where the trains are rushing,
Cruel wheels cutting and crashing and crushing!

The gates are down and the red flags are flying,
But under they slink, their peril defying,
Mother and children and wife all crying,
"Back from the tracks where the dead are lying!"

Down are the gates before the tavern;
Down, by the gamblers' flaming cavern;
Down, by the lures where the lust fiend lingers;
Down, where the trade-thief his base gold fingers;

Down, by the playhouse, the brothel's feeder;
Down, by the books that besmirch their reader;
Down! pressed down by the friends that love them,
By the laws of their land, and the God above them!

The gates are down, but I wonder, I wonder,
Why so many are dodging under,
Under the gates and the signal flags flying,
Out on the red tracks, dying -- dying!





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