Middlebrook

One big boom reverberates,
we shelter 'neath the railway bridge,
the swirling wind ensures we get a soaking anyway.
The Croal is roaring well above the watermark,
the nature lover in me hopes the smaller fish 
will beat the flow and seek a sheltered cranny.  
Peewits squeal, and wheel through softened skies, 
as sunshine makes a welcome reappearance.
Drying out, we wait for trains,
our notebooks at the ready.
A record twenty-six come through,
some chug to local destinations, 
others muscle by, non-stop, 
to Carlisle and the Scottish Highlands.
We eat our sandwiches in silence,
underlining names and numbers.
Clambering up the embankment
and skittering down, as gravity 
grabs then releases we fall in a heap, 
and can't wait to do it again!
An impromptu game of catch,
throwing stones instead of tennis balls,
our laughter uncontrollable,
we trip and stagger home.
The warp and weft, the fabric of my youth
still reassures me with these moments of enduring truth.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Lever Avatar
March 29, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Loved this, takes you into the settings. Lancashire! Enjoyed your youth with you whilst reading it! best wishes from a lancs lass.
Fleming Avatar
January 15, 2017 at 7:55 PM
Great piece of writing, Keith - Loved it! I have heard of the Irwell of course but never the Croal; just googled it...Croal means "The winding stream" in old English - Fascinating stuff! All the very best, Keith...And may your New Year be both productive and content - Cheers! :) john
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