Symbiosis

Inspired by "Giants Refreshed: Pacifics in the Doncaster Locomotive Works" by Terence Tenison Cuneo (1907–1996) in Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery

You can see the painting here

Symbiosis

"Interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the mutually beneficial relationship between different people or groups."





The beast is sleeping;
Awesome even in its silence.
Gleaming in the light
while tiny creatures prink and clean
its accumulated detritus.
Venturing where none may dare
when the beast is awake
to prepare it for its circadian prowl.
They are symbiotic, co-dependent;
Cleaners and oilers,greasers and painters;
obligated and phoretic.

Refreshed, it eases into the open,
fire blazing, pressure building,
slowly rising from its slumber.
Hissing as it glides so smoothly,
lazy pistons like muscles stretching
unaware of their impending fury.
The beast makes its payment,
hosts carried in its wake
as it gorges greedily on the dark fodder
shoveled in its gaping maw;
Speed building, air rushing,
vapour trailing, rails screaming.
Small creatures stand aside as the beast,
pacific blue shining,
roars past; in awe and wonder as it
disappears
into
the
distance

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