Michael Lee Johnson is a poet and freelance writer and small business owner of custom imprinted promotional products and apparel: www.promoman.us, from Itasca, Illinois. He is heavily influenced by: Carl Sandburg, Robert Frost, William Carlos Williams, Irving Layton, Leonard Cohen, and Allen Ginsberg. This poem was inspired by a love of Carl Sandburg's poetry and life. The poem is based on a real travel experience to Galesburg, IL in June 2010, "Railroad Days," and developed from the vivid pictures and images taken my Carol Marcus, a devoted friend of many years. This poems won 2nd place in of the 2011 Big Write, Galesburg, IL. adult poetry contest, sponsored by Galesburg Public Library.