Between Stafford and Crewe

By David Maidment

Wed, 27 Apr 2011

985 reads

3 comments

Hurtling towards the blueblack sky
Made garish by a fading sun,
We enter a twilight world.
The hills and fields vanish.
The opaque cloud envelops
And propels us to the vortex.
Tadpole raindrops spatter and explode
Marking their territory on the window pane.

The speeding rails glisten.
Then the close-focussed eye
Can only fix upon the rivulets
Streaking diagonally like brooks in flood.
A miniature Amazon or Ganges,
Their tributaries sweep down,
Merging and parting as if dancing
To a tearful tune.

We are tossed inside the seething storm
Until, like a burst of treacherous lightning,
We lance the mist
And find mundane reality again.

Certificate U

Poem

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Comments

David, I caught this late

Permalink Submitted by TVR on Sat, 2011-09-10 11:11

David, I caught this late while browsing. I think this is excellent and you have captured the rhythm of the train with your words. It put me in mind of John Betjeman, a compliment to you. The words flew of the page (screen) like an express train. I think it's damned shame there has been little comment on what is an excellent piece of work. Cherries much deserved. Well done! Best Wishes sue

TVR

Thanks Sue, much

Permalink Submitted by David Maidment on Sun, 2011-09-11 00:00

Thanks Sue, much appreciated. It was written, as I remember, on a Virgin Pendeleno between Stafford and Crewe in the middle of a violent storm. Can't remember if I finished it on the journey. I doubt it as I'd have had less than twenty minutes!

David Maidment

Thanks for that, David. No

Permalink Submitted by TVR on Sun, 2011-09-11 10:21

Thanks for that, David. No matter how long it took, it's a very good piece of work and an easy, enjoyable read. Good old Virgin, eh. Such inspirers. sue

TVR