Out with the old, In with the new.

     Located between Highland and Cave City, sits the small town of Evening Shade. The air is usually still, and there is barely any noise except for the random bark of a dog or rustle of leaves from a creature in the woods. The only place that is still bursting with life is the little gas station across the street from the "Welcome to Evening Shade" train/sign. Old men sit on a bench outside of the gas station, drinking their coffee black, smoking long Marlboro cigarettes, and chatting noisely about the "good ole' days." While watching the same cars pass through everyday.
     The old train perched on top of the hill sits in the same spot all year long. In the fall, its' base and roof are nestled with brown, dead leaves from the old oak tree that looms above it. In the summertime, the thick grass beneath it almost completely consumes the wheels of the train, and bees buzz merrily around the new garden of wildflowers. The winter brings in snow piled upon the roof, leaving a white blanket against the black steel of the train. The oak tree stands naked above, while the cold, winter wind blows powdery snow off its' giant branches onto the crunchy gravel below. And in the spring, the train stands proudly on the hill. The big oak is budding with new leaves and families having picnics on the concrete table, happily eating their ham and cheese sandwiches. The warm spring breeze dancing through their hair.
     All year, every year I see this train. Sitting in the same spot, on the same hill. I often wonder about the people in the past seeing this train, and their thoughts on it. When it was brand new, did they marvel at its' beauty and its' newness? Was it, at the time, the pride of the town? The train is a great representation of Evening Shade, because it represents something that used to be spectacular and new, but is now forgotten by the new and improved things of this time.