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Railway Child

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Published: 12th May 2021

Image by gR

This Poem was placed 1st in the "ALL YOURS May 12" Poetry Contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 10th June 2021)

This poem was inspired by the film 'The Railway Children' and Henry Twells' poem 'Time's Paces'. It's a fictional account of one childhood summer that I've set during the age of steam - a period in time that I was born too late for.

if the pathways and parklands of my childhood could talk they would speak of time crawling before it could walk. and when clouds hung like mobiles on strings from the sky I would run with my arms out pretending to fly. I would 'land' near the steep bank that looked down on the track to watch trains pass there daily before then heading back. in that long, lost, hot summer when I never knew time I would scan the horizon through the haze on the line. the dots that grew bigger would soon thunder past - they were moments I lived for that flew by so fast. but as clouds clouded over that magic had gone and as the last train rolled past me I sensed time had moved on.

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Brian Strand

Date: 9/24/2021 1:30:00 AM

I did a lot of this,Gary,noting the numbers..and once a day the Master Cutler..our LNER line connected with Sheffield then(which it could again if HMG dropped its vanity project of HS2)

Gary Radice
Date: 9/24/2021 5:47:00 AM

HS2..now there's an anthology in itself. I've two more railway poems to write to make up the 10 and your comments have prompted me to have another go at one I wrote last year but pulled it on account of me not liking it much. :) Cheers - Gary

David Walker

Date: 7/3/2021 8:20:00 AM

Gary, beautifully done..I like this one a lot. You have such a good following

Gary Radice
Date: 7/3/2021 8:47:00 AM

Thank you David - that means a lot. I'm available on Soupmail if ever you agree to the collaboration. Cheers - Gary

Greg Gaul

Date: 5/13/2021 10:52:00 AM

Gary, this is a fav for me. Your meter and patience is masterful. Pacing the read is what great writers do. Like a sage reciting some mythic tale. The pacing and rhyme has such an unforced and friendly flow. And then you cap it off with that poignant last line. This, of all your works, has a legendary aspect. You should be proud. This is top drawer, regardless of how it placed here. Remember this comment Gary. This bell cannot be unrung. Now, go write something great.

Gary Radice
Date: 5/13/2021 12:01:00 PM

Greg, what can I say? i am absolutely blown away by your wonderful comments. I feel honoured by them. Thank you! I must admit that I did spend some time writing this and still might (might) adjust the last couple of lines very slightly as I don't feel the flow is quite right. I'll sleep on it and have a fresh look tomorrow. :) Thanks for the fav and thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 5/12/2021 1:31:00 PM

really fine pen Gary telling this so well, steam trains were a real attraction in our childhood days. Take care, Gordon

Gary Radice
Date: 5/12/2021 1:40:00 PM

Hi Gordon. Hope all's well North of the Border. I didn't get to see many steam trains as a child but the very few that I did left their mark in my heart. Whenever I can I love to ride the heritage steam train routes that are dotted around our country and one day would love to ride the Fort William to Mallaig steam train. Cheers - Gary

Brian Strand

Date: 5/12/2021 9:42:00 AM

Gary,Did you collect the numbers..& ..were they steam or disel? We did something similar (scrumping over hanging branches whilst we waited) but you have encapsulate the memory very wistfully,hence my selection in contest 973

Gary Radice
Date: 5/12/2021 11:02:00 AM

I was born in 61 and remember seeing a couple of steam trains going through a local station. I used to love the look and noise of the diesel trains. Still do.

Gary Radice
Date: 5/12/2021 9:49:00 AM

Brian, in another chiildhood I would have collected every number to every engine - but I didn't. It's a fictional account of my ideal childhood inspired by the film "The Railway Children" and the poem Time's Paces by Henry Twells. Thank you for the placing and wonderful comments. Cheers - Gary

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 5/12/2021 6:57:00 AM

Love this :) A wonderful write. God Bless you, love, Gina

Gary Radice
Date: 5/12/2021 8:22:00 AM

Thank you Gina. It needs neatening up a bit around the edges but I'm nearly there. Cheers - Gary