Last Train

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By jennifer

Mon, 17 Jun 2024
  • 1443 reads
19 comments
 

Last Train

Jennifer Pickup
 
(For my Dad, a Steam Train enthusiast)
So this is the end of the line,
This is the last stop on the track,
No more trains going on from here,
And this one isn’t going back.
As we pull into the station,
I hear the whistle start to blow,
And I don’t want to disembark,
But in my heart, it’s time to go.
So put the last coal on the fire,
And let the white steam billow out,
Before we close this engine down,
Now I can hear the driver shout:
Stand clear!
Please mind the gap, and watch your back,
Stay off the track,
This will be the last announcement!
 
Stand clear!
Mind my heart as you disembark
Into the dark.
Can you feel touch, does it hurt much?
 
I’m here!
I will not cry. I say goodbye
Into your ear.
I’ll try not to show you my fear.
 
So this is where the signal falls,
And now the train is out of time,
It has been a long old journey,
But this is the end of the line.
I will stand here on the platform,
And watch you walk into the cloud,
Wish I could travel more with you…
I hope I’ll always make you proud.
And as the station lights go out,
Two figures stride past where I stand:
A man with flat cap and a pipe,
And a small girl that holds his hand.
Certificate PG
Poem
Storm on the Horizon (2023-2024)
Love
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by jennifer on

I first drafted this poem in August 2022 when I found out I was going to lose my Dad. I was thinking about him a lot in the lead-up to Father's Day, for a variety of reasons, and finally finished the poem on Friday. Wasn't strong enough to post it yesterday.

J x

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Jennifer, this is beautiful. Thank you for posting it. Brought tears to my eyes, thinking about my own Dad, and my Mum. A beautiful tribute to your Dad, and to love.

Submitted by jennifer on

I was crying the whole time I wrote it, and I made my mum cry when I sent it to her.

I think it's been the hardest poem to write I've ever written.

J x

 

Submitted by D G Moody on

A heartfelt tribute to a father, thank you Jenny; and I liked the way you used the metaphor of the departing train to describe your feeling of loosing someone: that last stanza is so tender. 

Dougie Moody

Submitted by jennifer on

The train metaphor comes from my dad being a steam train enthusiast - throughout my childhood, we spent countless hours as a family riding on steam trains, exploring steam musems, going to model railway exhibits, and train spotting! The family home is full of photographs, paintings, books and model trains! When I think of him now, I see him striding down a platform, or pottering away in his workshop with his models, both with the inevitable pipe! Some very precious memories. 

J x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I'm so glad you managed to post it in the end Jennifer - it's beautiful and so very moving and as airy says, a wonderful tribute to someone who obviously did everything dad related very very well. Sending you a big hug

 

Submitted by jennifer on

He was the most wonderful dad. He is much missed.

Thank you!

J x

 

Submitted by onemorething on

A very moving poem. Thank you for posting it. It's our Pick of the Day. Do share on Facebook and Twitter. 

 

Submitted by jennifer on

A great honour to have been chosen!

Thank you!

J x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Congratulations Jennifer - well deserved!

 

Submitted by jennifer on

I think it's one of my best, if not THE best!

Always write at my best when I write personal things from the heart.

J x

 

Submitted by celticman on

Lovely poem. A memory that sings and rings, not of sadness, really, but empathy.  

 

Submitted by jennifer on

Yes, it was written from a place of fond memories and acceptance of the inevitable, rather than sadness.

J x

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Beautiful, Jenny! I love steam locomotives and stories of trains. A steam engine is the worst kind at wasting energy, not burning clean, i.e efficiency, heat energy to power. A steam engine is also the strongest. A Boeing taking off is a thrill but nothing to a steam train.

Great on the Cherrries!

All the best! Tom

 

Submitted by jennifer on

Still love the smell of steam trains, and the sound of their whistles! The most evocative memories when all the senses are so involved! Such magnificent beasts!

J x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Poem of the Week - Congratulations!

 

Submitted by jennifer on

Thank you, I am crying again now!

J x

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Gorgeous celebration of the love and loss of your dad, Jennifer. Beautiful.x

Rich

 

Submitted by jennifer on

I miss him very much. Especially when I see or hear a steam train. Such magical machines.

Precious memories.

J x