Sentinal

I stand
ready to save you
from your own carelessness.

These tracks I've guarded
for decades
are as dead as my eyes
which used to wink at you
one
then the other
sharing my secrets
while you waited for me
to raise my lance
and see you safely
on your way.

Now I'm blinded by time
and this elbow is rusted
and these tracks are overgrown
with weeds
and disuse.

The children
who used to crush pennies
and balance-dance on the rails
are all grown now,
scattered by progress,
no longer dreaming
of iron giants.