Pace Maker

Pace Maker is a poem of reflection on the fragility of life with heart disease and existence

Pace Maker

They say fortune, favors the bold;

my portion… came to me unsold.

Staring out the train car window;

into disregard’s back yard shows;

of the places, no longer facing the tracks.

Shifting rumbles, rhythmic click clacks;

lulls my mind and tickles my back.

These old arteries tired and cracked

squeals evidence of times, impact;

cast by the wheels, like ghostly siren chimes. 

I wonder just how much more time

Does this passenger have, to grind?

The conductor walks down the line…

To punch my ticket and replied,

Looks like you still have, some more miles to go.

I watched as the sun rised bestow. 

To warming my face in its glow;

and bracing my pace, of heart throws.

The grace of a single tear flows…

at the embrace, of another days stroll.

© 2023 Robert Trakofler

Robert · Pace Maker

Author's Note

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Oh my goodness, where to begin...I have so much to say...
First read of yours and your last lines made me cry.
Loved reading all about your life before reading your wonderful poem.
Loved each and every line.
We are probably around the same age with so much life behind us and wanting more ahead of us.
Personally I want to continue with my watercolours, my piano and my writing. When one is creative I believe the quest to live longer is even more evident.
May I make one small suggestion...
To...drop your title down a bit more from your image and to make the font just a bit bigger.
I seldom make suggestions so just ignore me if you do not like it.
Lisa, from California, now living in Spain

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Lisa I'm so sorry I missed this review this site can be a bit clanky for me:/ I have been having trouble when I cut and paste my work sometimes the site changes my layout and font selection at this point I'm just grateful it puts words on the page and not numeric code:)

[Lisasview]

I often have the same issues... Mainly with the layout.
Hope you liked my review.
Lisa

[Dave Brown]

The pacemaker thingy caught my eye because that will probably be my next artificial attachment
Your poem has made the very near probability somewhat more acceptable
Do you remember Norm Tanti
He wiggles his at trick and treaters
Thanks for visit and take care

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL I wish I could wiggle my pacemaker! As of now, it does no decent parlor tricks:( I must get some advice from Norm!

[John the Baptist]

The symbolism of the train is obvious. It just wasn't your time to pull in to the station. Many thanks to the conductor.

[Robert Trakofler]

I just think they keep moving the destination point because they don't want to deal with me yet LOL

[lightsong]

To use the train here is brilliant my dear, the train has a sentimental, sad, yearning and vintage feelings to it, and considering the theme... this is perfect.

My most favorite as You already know is the last verse, and it is where your voice changed and choked... (the sound cloud doesn't appear beneath your poem).

"Runaway train never coming back, Runway with a one way track..." it is You, your miles are never-ending and your train will keep on rolling...

[Robert Trakofler]

You know when I first got the knowledge that my pacemaker was working 16% of the time I was obsessed with writing something

[lightsong]

I do... and it's something inspiring to write about, specially for Mr. Daul :>

[willweb]

It is always nice when the conductor punches your tickets and says, "It looks like you still have some more miles to go.
Kind of dark but very enlightening.

[Robert Trakofler]

My doctor said that 16% of the time my pacemaker is jolting my heart to beat LOL I joked that I was authentically me only 84% of the time and then someone asked me what are you the other 16% of the time and then I wrote this:)

[Robert Trakofler]

and the mystery answer is this... drum roll please, GRATEFUL

[willweb]

Sure "beats" the alternative.