If I had known so much other stuff was going up for vote this week, I'd have held off. Oh, well, too late now. Fortunately, two of mine are poems, and therefore somewhat short. Anyway, this one is interesting, because voting this one in theoretically makes Rail-Runners a "thing" in Jakkard, so, you know, take that into consideration when you vote. Anyway, enjoy!
Title: The Rail-Runners Poet: RavenoftheBlack Status: Public
The Rail-Runners
The Rail-Runners
I have seen all the paths that the Rail-Runners run, As they move to the wastelands and back, With their eyes on horizons, their hands on their guns, And their feet never far from the track.
I have seen all the dust that the Rail-Runners kick, As they trample through bramble and roots, I have seen as it covers them, heavy and thick, From their hats to the toes of their boots.
I have seen the dull lanterns the Rail-Runners bare, As they sprint down their trails in the night, And when danger encroaches, those simple lamps flare, To a blinding, magnificent light.
I have seen the deep tracks that the Rail-Runners leave, As they stomp their way over the ground, I have seen the wide smiles of those who believe, It's a blessing to have them around.
I have seen all the sweat that the Rail-Runners lose, While they dash through the mud and the sand, But they bring, without rest, all the letters and news, To those braving this harsh, barren land.
I have seen, all too often, the Rail-Runners' bones, As they scatter away to the side, For they ran, they delivered, and faltered alone, And in silence the Rail-Runner died.
Joined: Sep 22, 2013 Posts: 5700 Location: Inside my own head
Identity: Human
That was nice. I have to admit, I wasn't able to catch on to the rhythm very much in this one, but that's probably my own problem. It was rather haunting there at the end, too.
It's at this point I have to admit I had never heard of rail-runners and am still relatively lost as to what they are/do.
That was nice. I have to admit, I wasn't able to catch on to the rhythm very much in this one, but that's probably my own problem. It was rather haunting there at the end, too.
It's at this point I have to admit I had never heard of rail-runners and am still relatively lost as to what they are/do.
It's an anapestic rhythm, alternating tetrameter/trimeter. So the first line would read like "A Visit from St. Nicholas," ('Twas the Night Before Christmas) and the second the same rhythm, but one less foot.
As for what they are, that's sort of the thing with this poem. They aren't a thing. This poem would essentially make them a thing on Jakkard, which might be problematic for some people, or it might not.
Judging from what is in the poem, they seem to serve as news and mail carriers, though they are also apparently magically enhanced in some way or another.
As for what they are, that's sort of the thing with this poem. They aren't a thing. This poem would essentially make them a thing on Jakkard, which might be problematic for some people, or it might not.
Judging from what is in the poem, they seem to serve as news and mail carriers, though they are also apparently magically enhanced in some way or another.
I got the news/mail carrier angle, but the title "rail-runner" implies to me that they run along the leylines (i.e. the same rails that the trains use); although I didn't expect that to be the case before I read. Rails and Jakkard made me thing this was going to be about train track-layers or something.
I picture them running along the "rails", so yeah, the leylines. They use them for direction, I would guess, though they would likely draw power from them in some way or another.
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