paths in the mist

"STAY ON TRAIL," the sign commands.
Or does it warn?
Or does it plead?



"Otherwise," it might add, "You will find yourself Elsewhere." Else, Elsewhere



A cold-iron road runs through this land...



but there are tunnels under it:



Here are pails of detritus from angelic rail repair:



And here are the footprints of a traveler who walks alongside, not on, the iron road: