Steam Train Troubles

Steam Train Troubles

Percival the steward of the train
Ordered foie gras and oysters too
But left them on the station platform like a fool
Wealthy customers will find this rather tedious
Trips from Switzerland to Germany can be quite mundane
There is plenty of coal though to keep the engine going
Steaming over rail and snow
Not too many murders are expected this go round
Business is much slower this time of year 
Train travel lost its luster over time and customers as well
It is quieter with poorer clientele around
A handful of rich still occupy first class
Hang out about the open bar up there
Mr. Smith forgot his ticket
His wife is having an affair with Percival
The conductor wants them both arrested
For their blatant misconduct most unpleasant  
Guns come out inside a tunnel entrance
Train covered sights and sounds inside the cab in there
When it exited, Percival was dead
Natural causes were to blame
With a bullet in his brain
Hundred dollar bills were scooped up from the floor
By witnesses who saw nothing but the trees outside
Steam engine rolled along the tracks as usual
Taking truth and reason with it through the snow

Created on 1/14/15 for Shadow Hamilton  - “Railway Journeys” Poetry Contest

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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Date: 2/1/2015 1:55:00 PM
EARL, CONGRATULATIONS on your RAILWAY JOURNEY win *ALWAYS* SKAT
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 2/1/2015 2:18:00 PM
Hi SKAT, Thank you so much for commenting. Have a wonderful day. Earl
Date: 1/26/2015 6:10:00 PM
All we need is an Inspector Clouseau on the case. Fun trip. Congrats on the win.
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/29/2015 7:06:00 PM
Hi John, Thank you for commenting. I appreciate it. Sorry for responding late. I have not been getting my emails for the past few days. Have a great night. Earl
Date: 1/26/2015 5:58:00 AM
congrats on the well deserved win Earl.
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/29/2015 7:11:00 PM
Hi Nadiya! Thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed it. Sorry I'm responding late. I have been missing a lot of emails for the past several days. I appreciate your commenting. Take care. Earl
Date: 1/25/2015 11:54:00 PM
Lovely descriptive write, congrats on the win,
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/26/2015 1:16:00 AM
Hi Dr. Mehta, Thank you so much. I enjoyed your winning poem as well. Have a great day today. Earl
Date: 1/25/2015 3:48:00 PM
Earl, congratulations on your 1st Place win for your amazing, intriguing poem Wow...dangerous living in those days! Loved your write. Sandra
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/25/2015 7:09:00 PM
Hi Sandra, Thank you so much. Fortunately no real people were killed in the making of my poem. I never met a Percival in my life. It just sounded like an old fashioned name of someone working on a steam train back in the day. I enjoyed your great entry in the contest. Congratulations on your excellent poem and great win. Earl
Date: 1/25/2015 3:36:00 PM
Dropping back with my congrats Earl:-) Hugs Jan xx
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/25/2015 6:55:00 PM
Hi Jan. Thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed it. I hope things are good with you and your family. Earl
Date: 1/25/2015 1:38:00 PM
Earl,a 7 and congratulations on your win, love your descriptive write. Blessings eve
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/25/2015 6:51:00 PM
Hi Eve, Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed your winning poem/story also. Take care. Earl
Date: 1/25/2015 1:27:00 PM
Congrats on 1st Earl a superb poem hugs
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/25/2015 6:53:00 PM
Hi Shadow, Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I'm glad you liked it and hope you found it entertaining. Take care. Earl
Date: 1/16/2015 8:08:00 AM
Ha ha, literally the best one I have read so far for the contest. 7 all the way!
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/16/2015 8:32:00 AM
Hi Richard, Thank you so much. I appreciate your interest and comments. Earl
Date: 1/14/2015 11:56:00 PM
An intriguing murderer mystery, Earl...I love this narrative. Well done and best wishes in the contest! Hugs, Rhonda
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/15/2015 8:34:00 AM
Hi Rhonda! Thank you so much. I appreciate your comments. I'm glad you liked it. Take care. Earl
Date: 1/14/2015 12:23:00 PM
Vivid imagery Earl this is quite deep and dark - great write good luck in the contest:-) Hugs Jan xxx
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 1/14/2015 1:20:00 PM
Hi Jan, Thank you. As you know, I like to spice up my works with a little drama from time to time. I wonder if there is a Percival in the world? I have never met anyone with that name. It just struck me as someone unusual who would end up in trouble on the train. Have a pleasant day. Earl
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