Once Upon Again And Again...

By skinner_jennifer

Thu, 08 Mar 2018
  • 1889 reads
8 comments
 

Photo is my own.

 

 

 

 

Left here in darkness

tarnished over time,

gloomy existence a sacrilege,

is this the legacy of hard work?

 

To be fractured

held as less important,

motionless, rooted among

antiquities of years gone by.

 

Remembering when;

humble giants set the rhythm,

chuff...chuff...chuffing, building

momentum along miles of tracks,

 

passing open fields then

through sleepy vales at

speeds of 100 miles per hour,

 

passengers gazing out of windows,

tracks replicating vinyl, stylus creating

rhythmic, musical, resonating sound.

 

Time will heal when once again

steaming through sleepy stations,

whistle blowing out a welcome

passing those busy towns,

 

wait...wait...waiting,

soon no more

wallowing

in self pity,

 

bright light flickers

pistons will turn once again,

chance for smoke to billow

out across horizon,

 

clouds casting dappled shade

thanks to shelter of trees,

letting people know

I'm home again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Poems
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes, getting some of these mechanical giants steaming again has been a thrill to the hard working enthusiasts, and the old and young enjoying the slow and gentle rhythmic rides! Good idea for the IP.

Apprently where I grew up (Barry, in South Wales) there was a bit 'graveyard' that was the haunt of many of the hopeful groups wanting to start up branch lines again. I didn't realise it at the time. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Interesting idea to link the  noise of steam engines and gramaphones, which was supposed to be made better with electric trains and CDs, but now people miss the noise because it's part of the experience

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello Jenny,

Very evocative poem.   It reminded me of days out at Southend with a bottle of tea and spam sandwichs. The excitement when we heard then saw the train as it steamed into the station.  I've said it before and I say it again.  You have a poetic soul.  

Moya x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thanks for reading and commenting Rhiannon. I had this idea for the I P when I thought about the Flying Scotsman and how it's been revived so many times. My partner was telling me about  Barry and how it was like a graveyard for old steam engines. I'm so pleased the Flying Scotsman is now up and running, it had such a lucrative past.

You never know, maybe I'll get a chance to travel on this great giant one day...I do hope so.

Thanks again.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Di_Hard,

you know the Flying Scotsman, although a Locomotive could travel up to a hundred miles an hour in it's day, for steam that was amazing. I always think when I stare out the window at rails when travelling that it appears like vinyl, it's so fast, which was where I got the idea from.

Like you say, you can't beat the old ways, being part of the experience. smiley

I'm so glad you stopped by to read and share your thoughts, it means a lot.

Thank you.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Good morning Moya,

what a great memory to have. It's such an emotional experience seeing these giants up and close, I don't know which is better, traveling on one with its plush seats and antique interior, or gazing at the old locomotive as it pulls into a station. But either way it's a huge experience to be a part of.

Thank you so much for sharing your memory and it's lovely to hear from you. Hope you are well.

Jenny. x

 

Submitted by mickleinapickle on

I long for those far-gone days of chuff...chuff...chuffing. I can't understand why 100 mph wasn't fast enough for humanity. We always have to push those boundaries... can't stop. I enjoyed your poem, Jennifer. Got me thinking about it all.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Shackleton, I absolutely agree with you about 100 mph being fast enough, glad to know there are others out there that appreciate locomotives in all their splendour.

I'm over the moon I got you thinking. Perhaps to write or travel on one is where your thoughts are taking you, I know for myself it would be thrilling to go on a trip somewhere travelling in the luxury of a locomotive.

But thank you for stopping by to read and commenting, much appreciated.

Jenny.