Who Can Say?

By the railroad and the river
there’s a ringing bell, relentless.
Drawbridge open, freight train passing,
who can say?

Trees are turning new leaves over
and they murmur soft and endless.
Whirlwind coming, storm clouds massing,
who can say?

Coming soon or coming never,
warnings wasted by the heedless,
prior dangers all surpassing—
who can say?