Talking Seats In Trains

>On our local radio they are talking about getting seats on trains. Greater Anglia who have been awarded the franchise for running trains in East Anglia, are promising great improvements. This reminds me of a couple of incidents that happened many years ago. But hey this is supposed to be poetry. Talking seats on trains Long time ago, as a kid. Mum and dad and their son went out, they did. I was their foster son, you know. So with them, I had to go. By train to the coast, we went did so. Was a great day we had by the sea. When travelling back we were tired, you see. We walked the train’s corridors. But no vacant seats we saw. Not to be defeated to first class did go. And all relaxed in comfort, just so. Then along came the ticket collector stern as could be. Said, ‘you should not be here but in class III.’ Dad said, ‘my sergeant major, said to me, why stand-up if you can sit down. And why sit down, if you can lie down.’ Dad was stern as well, you see. What followed then you would not believe! As the ticket collector said, ‘mine said that to me.’ Both were in the Northamptonshire Regiment. ‘Stay right where you are. Don’t move from the spot.’ The ticket collector then did part. Soon he was back sat opposite dad. They reminisced both of what they did have. They talked and talked all the way back. We kids and mum dozed in comfort, I must say. Was so nice to travel first class and sitting all the way. I use the same tactic once. Whilst in the uniform of the British Army. Was using a military travel pass you see. I had only sat down five minutes it’s true. When the ticket collector came along, yes he did do.. And what you think, he did say? He clipped my ticket, winked his eye, and just gave a smile and past on his way. I wonder what they would do today…! Stanley Russell Harris The new mad Author & Poetry Soup Honourable Mentioned. <