The First Whistle

Puffing languidly by blowing the whistle, there came 
the mementos of zig-zag meter gauged companion, 
The first consignment on the railroad track, locomotives shipped from the United Kingdom, 
by crossing 586 bridges, beautiful Himalayan Mountain Ranges, 
37 tunnels of major attractions arrived at the destination, 
A first venture, to boost up the drop's tea and coal transportation. 
That day, a track known as Brahmaputra Valley, 
literally airdropped as an island railway went conversion, 
became history to usher the broad gauge interconnectivity of the remote region. 

Eleven years later in 1892, thousands of men and women 
gathered to cast the last glimpse of the railway track
 at the eastern part of the Indian Continental, 
to become the witness of the track's last communication. 

An emotional moment, when the train ran for the last time 
on the 115 year old meter gauge line
 by flagging and blowing the last whistle of the dominion. 
To bid tearful, joyful adieu to the first whistle
 of the last morning, on the old track of the 65 km
 railway line, inaugurated in 1881, in the so called  
Land of the Raising Sun as commemoration!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Maverick Avatar
November 30, 2021 at 11:07 AM
A lot of rich detail and whimsy in this piece Silpika, man is always rushing to a new disaster Disguised as an advancement or so It seems to me, the equilibrium is never really Valued..' A pleasure to have read today.)
Kalita Avatar
November 30, 2021 at 12:53 PM
Thanks Joe, just penned the bygone of the remote region, tried to bring back that emotional moment of the first whistle of history! Glad you like... Silpika
Goldsmith Avatar
November 30, 2021 at 7:51 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful story/write. I enjoyed the trip. Have a blessed day with your win...............
Kalita Avatar
November 30, 2021 at 8:29 AM
Ample thanks dear Paula for your precious time to read and comes out with a wonderful, delightful tribute to the First Whistle, the history of The remote region... Silpika
Baker Avatar
November 29, 2021 at 5:10 PM
Excellent presentation of historical railroad line. I liked the First Whistle. Congrats on the win! :-) Bill (had the read at least one today)
Kalita Avatar
November 30, 2021 at 8:27 AM
Thanks Bill, appreciate your presence and of course the accolade. When it comes to history, I always love to give a pen to pay homage to those spectacular moments and thanks again for the blissful wish.. Silpika
Legros Kelley Avatar
November 17, 2021 at 8:11 PM
SILPIKA, congratulations on your winning placement in the 'Railroads, A Historical Glance Back' poetry contest! Your informative and well written poem 'THE FIRST WHISTLE' is an emotive write. It is educational and wonderfully written. It is sad when things that bring so much joy pass into the pages of history. You have preserved the memory beautifully! Thank you for your contribution! Again, congratulations! <3 ~BJ
Kalita Avatar
November 18, 2021 at 1:09 AM
My sincere regards and gratitude for honouring my pen " The First Whistle" by glory. This composition is very close to my heart, as it is an opportunity to pay tribute to the forgotten history of the remote region! Ample thanks for giving an opportunity to pen on such a wonderful topic! Honoured to hear from you! Regards and gratitude!
Alex Avatar
November 16, 2021 at 6:00 AM
Coming back to congratulate you. Congratulations!
Kalita Avatar
November 16, 2021 at 8:29 AM
Hey Alex thanks a lot for the cordial wish. Your poems are outstanding. You were the first one to review my poem. Appreciate your time always ... Silpika
Schneiter Avatar
November 15, 2021 at 4:25 PM
It's virtually impossible to read a Siloika Kalita poem and not receive an education, let alone be edified by the beauty and freshness of the imagery. This poem is a "keeper," just like all your poems. Hugs, Paul
Kalita Avatar
November 16, 2021 at 8:26 AM
Hey Paul, thanks a lot for those golden words. Sometimes my words fail me to reiterate, when I receive your splendid feedback. Hugs Silpika
Mc Dermott Avatar
November 10, 2021 at 3:09 PM
Again, you get so much into your writing with well chosen words to communicate in a direct way with the reader. This piece will serve as a memento of the railway line, and all its components. I saw a railway close when I was young, and men dismantling metal bridges using gas torches, that lit the night as they worked. A worthy commemoration write on an historicial event.
Kalita Avatar
November 10, 2021 at 7:22 PM
Ample thanks for the accolade and sharing those golden memories! Much honoured! Obliged!
Wolf Avatar
November 5, 2021 at 5:15 AM
Bittersweet moments certainly when such a memorable train route sees its last engine steam off into the sunset. A lot of history, daring episodes, and intrigue no doubt over 115 years. Timeless write, Silpika. Thanks, gw
Kalita Avatar
November 6, 2021 at 5:30 AM
Thanks for the accolade! Like the word timeless. Regards!
Rodrigues Avatar
October 30, 2021 at 9:51 AM
I loved our railway station when I was a kid. We would pick up visiting family. We would wait up above the tracks and see the loud train and its plume of smoke. Our visitors would climb the iron steps. Today’s world is more modern. We usually go to the airport but the old-fashioned train lives in the memory.
Kalita Avatar
October 30, 2021 at 11:46 AM
Indeed Kim, a lot of reminiscences! So many magical moments and memories we all have with those old tracks! Poetry is the soul to preserve the mementos of those moments without loosing a wink of it! Thanks and regards
Edmonds  Avatar
October 29, 2021 at 4:05 PM
Thank you for the interesting historic information written in commemoration Silpika. Well done, Belle
Kalita Avatar
October 30, 2021 at 5:09 AM
Thanks Belle! Your words inspires! God bless! Regards
Buehler Avatar
October 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Silpika, this is such a wonderful piece of history, relayed with beautiful imagery and nostalgia. Kindest regards, Evelyn
Kalita Avatar
October 28, 2021 at 8:56 PM
Thanks Judy for the applaud! Glad you like the historic commemoration! Regards Silpika
Romios Avatar
October 28, 2021 at 5:24 AM
What a fine piece you wrote! And old trains and tracks disappear here, too. I rode on trains when they were luxurious, some not so much. A great experience but a sad one, great you know your history. Panagiota
Kalita Avatar
October 28, 2021 at 6:08 AM
Hi Pangaiota, great to hear from you! Thanks for the read, review and the applaud!
Lee Sr. Avatar
October 27, 2021 at 8:47 AM
A very splendid write! I enjoyed it very much. You have a similar writing style to me when I was much youthful ... Write on, Write on James
Kalita Avatar
October 27, 2021 at 2:57 PM
Thanks James, glad you like! God bless!
Alex Avatar
October 27, 2021 at 12:08 AM
Great ironic work. I absolutely agree with the things. In our county, there is no duration of the delay. You are well aware of the history too. Great!
Kalita Avatar
October 27, 2021 at 2:55 PM
Hey Alex thanks for the review, I wrote as a commemoration of the historic moment!
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