Passing Trains In Winter Rain

Distrait within the dismal night
while drifting down deserted track...
Beyond the bend, a lantern light
illumed alone the vacant black.  
Such are the tricks that fate will feign
with passing trains in winter rain.

The darkling sky sighed, dripping dew,
beguiling to the trek anew.
Through diamond dusk old demons came -
There was no dread, there was no claim,
for distant thoughts will entertain
on passing trains in winter rain.

Through shadow’s fog a form appeared
(which slowed its pace as morning neared),
a lonesome, meek and wistful thing, 
like fallen bird with broken wing.   
Such are the shapes and weary strain
of passing trains in winter rain.

We paused a moment, side by side
confronting Fate in eventide.
But Passion’s Pains of yesteryear
left youthful Ardor draped in fear -
We had our courses to maintain
like passing trains in winter rain.   

I often harken, flashing back,  
to sense the formless twisted track  
muse “Few have loved though all have toyed
inside this vast and vacant void -
The reason why ? At heart, mundane    
as passing trains in winter rain” ...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Duncan Avatar
September 1, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Love this awesome write Terry,,,,, feels like an old world love story. think I shall put it in fav's. congrats on the feature, and thank you for reading my Dawn ;}
A   Avatar
June 16, 2013 at 5:31 PM
Terry, How are you this lovely evening? :-) Congratulations with having your awesome poem featured on the soups home page.... sending hugs. Hope you are enjoying this day with your family. always & forever *LINDA
Jerden Avatar
June 13, 2013 at 2:12 AM
I don't think I can improve on the previous comments, Terry, so I'll just say I'm blown away by this poem's content, allusion, and structure. A real gem.
Cavanaugh Avatar
September 27, 2012 at 3:30 PM
This is a wonderful poem. Well thought out and executed. I love the refrain "passing trains in winter rain."
St.Cross Avatar
July 7, 2012 at 3:03 PM
‡ Classic * Sailing As A Distant Train Upon A Virgins Track * A Taste Of EA Poe & Absolutely Marked For Faves * Rare It Seems Such Gems As This, Beautiful & Gifted Lady * Definitely From This Sight In Eyes Cast Amid A Moments Prisms Of Light & Life * Muy Magnifico * My Luv, Rachel ‡
Brown Avatar
May 31, 2012 at 6:54 AM
I have not been on the soup for almost a week to read and comment. I have enjoyed being able to read your poetry this morning. I wanted to stop by to thank you for the comments you made during my absence from the soup. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment Terry. Love, Carol"
Dietrich Avatar
May 18, 2012 at 12:22 PM
I love how you patterned this one. I do enjoy sad ones too, Terry and this is very well crafted. Reminds me of that one, two ships passing in the night? something like that! Luv, Andrea
Bickerstaffe Avatar
May 14, 2012 at 1:24 PM
So well constructed and rhymed. Your repetition is most effective, and the overall mood is bittersweet. Well done, Terry! Best wishes, Keith
Kiya Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 2:36 PM
i like how you pourd the imagry in as well as the old words such as harken this is reely good
Higgins Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Lovely writing, I like this a lot. Kind regards, Tom
Baxter Avatar
May 7, 2012 at 4:03 AM
Wow that was very good. I love the line where the muse speaks Few have loved though all have toyed. Wow what a line. I wish I could do shapes, I always have a huge mess. I know it is not a shape but I hope you know what I mean. I loved it!
Allen Avatar
May 6, 2012 at 5:34 PM
You don't seem to realize that this is what poetry is about. To be able to paint a picture with words in an interesting way that others can identify with. Another superb work of talent and art. Huggs TLee
Poet Avatar
May 6, 2012 at 8:55 AM
Excellent!You are an awesome poet!You ,to my Favs.
Collins Avatar
May 6, 2012 at 6:59 AM
Dear Terry, Your originality in writing is exceptional. A brief love, so melancholy like a train whistle in the far distance finally in sight, a station stop and then gone again. just beautiful. If I'm wrong in the meaning, don't tell me while I'm in its trance. love, Kathy
 Avatar
April 30, 2012 at 3:03 PM
This must be her. Go get her. Jean.
Burch Avatar
April 27, 2012 at 5:40 PM
What can I say that hasn't been said Terry...this is an awsome piece...very Poe-esk (I adore Poe!) Well Done my friend!! :) big hugs,love~debs
Yamin Avatar
April 25, 2012 at 12:07 PM
An awesome write with rhyme and rhythm -flowing like a spring. What a beauty. Thanks, Terry, for your very kind comments on my poem The Sparrow. -Mohammad
Andresen Avatar
April 24, 2012 at 1:25 PM
Terry, some sad story.....beautiful written. - oxox Anne-Lise
O'Leary Avatar
April 25, 2012 at 3:26 AM
Sometimes 'sad' is 'beautiful'... thanks for your kind words... Terry
Eastman Avatar
April 24, 2012 at 1:24 PM
A facinating poem and written in a facinating way. Very creative. A great write. If you don't mind... I'd love to use this form someday in one of my poems... This is one of my favorite poems. I was quite facinated by the write. Most unique topic.
O'Leary Avatar
April 25, 2012 at 3:15 AM
I'm deeply touched... Terry
Brown Avatar
April 23, 2012 at 5:40 AM
Thank you for reading and commenting on my poetry. It is a pleasure to be able to read yours Terry. Love, Carol
Chircop Avatar
April 22, 2012 at 12:25 AM
A very great poem...'We're passing trains in winter rain'..that touched my heart deep.. Very emotional poem Terry..Keep your ink flowing..lovely..Charma
O'Leary Avatar
April 25, 2012 at 3:11 AM
I'll try to keep the ink (actually bits) flowing, inspired by your generous praise... Terry
Dietrich Avatar
April 20, 2012 at 8:05 PM
so much sadness in this one, but I love a well written sad poem. Great images, meter and repeating line. I just love a well thought out patterned poem like this one!
O'Leary Avatar
April 25, 2012 at 3:08 AM
Thank you for your kind remarks... Happy I could please! Terry
Galeyeva Avatar
April 20, 2012 at 11:22 AM
A mysterious meeting in a train... A woman, an angel, a demon, a muse or some memory? It`s a wonderful poem for sure. I`d like to translate it into Russian.
O'Leary Avatar
April 20, 2012 at 12:45 PM
A woman, an angel, a demon, a muse AND many memories, all fused into ONE! Thank you for your kind words... and, if you do translate it, I would be highly flattered... also, I would love to have a copy (I don't know Russian, but maybe I should learn)... Terry
Bauer Avatar
April 19, 2012 at 6:00 PM
wow! what an amazing write! this reads so beautifully and actually reminds me of a poe poem (and that's a huge compliment!). bravo for a brilliant and very wonderful poem!
O'Leary Avatar
April 20, 2012 at 12:41 PM
A Huge Thank You for your 'huge compliment' and your kind words... you really flatter me (but that's OK)... Terry
Breidenthal Avatar
April 19, 2012 at 1:04 PM
This is quite beautiful. It's absolutely clever and reflective too. Loooove eet! Always, Laura
O'Leary Avatar
April 20, 2012 at 12:38 PM
thank you for your kind words...so happy you 'loooove eet'...Terry
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