Beginning So Long Ago

Tyke, bundled for winter, by the dark maw
of a huge steam shovel after the war,
there amid the rubble, only feeling
the feel of what was felt around him, dark

fascination of walking near giants,
metal that could groan into motion, 
slam, bite, pivot and then drop twisted load,
do it again and again, might bite me

and then what would become of me, who …