Sunday 8 May 2011

Train Trip


There are no trains in Guernsey, but I have always found traveling in them interesting. 

The views you get within the cities and towns are always so candid as the rails tend to run behind factories and houses giving insights into what goes on behind the facade.

Once out in the country it is a case for sitting back and letting the world flash by, and perhaps doing a little people watching.

Train Trip

Spray painted bricks
a grey metal box.
Factory yards,
tall office blocks.

Terraced houses,
and narrow gardens,
swings in the park,
but the neighbourhood hardens.

Then alongside a river,
and over a bridge.
Green open fields
stretch out to a ridge

A thud and a roar
as another train passes,
then past the inn
where they’re raising their glasses

Pylons cross fields
carrying power.
I look at my watch
it’s already an hour

Cows in a field
wait at the gate.
Just like the farmer,
We’re going to be……late.

Past shopping centre
with acres of cars.
Now the train’s slowing
this stop is ours.

Into the station
we slowly rumble.
A sound from the speakers
and out we all tumble.

John Carré Buchanan
09 October 2010


14 comments:

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment and sorry for my tardy response.

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  2. great video and poem You are really on a journey with your writing

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    1. Hi Marja, thank you for your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the video too.

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  3. The metre of the poem made me feel i was on the train. Loved it.

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    1. Hi Sherry, thank you I am glad you enjoyed the poem.

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  4. I like the backyards of the terrace houses....always associated with train rides for me.

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    1. Hi Rallentanda, thank you for your comment, it is always interesting looking out when traveling.

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    1. LOVED the speed of this poem as you start up, speed and slow to a stop. You wrote this into the poem--it's all here! Nicely done. ANd what a treat to have your voice!

      Hi Susan thanks for your kind comment, sorry I had some finger trouble and hit the wrong button on my phone. FYI I have been putting audio on a lot of my recent poems , check towards the bottom of the posts for the sound cloud bar.

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  6. You know how I love the rhyming cadence of your poems, John. Your voice in the audio carried the same rushing intensity as the train! Well done.

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    1. Hi Indybev, thanks once again for your kind comment. I am delighted that you enjoy my poems.

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  7. A train journey should be written in the rhythm and rhyme of this poem. Sooo enjoyed it.

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    1. Hi Sumana, Thank you, I am really glad you enjoyed the poem.

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