Nancy Kaufman | + Follow Poet |
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The Ghosts of Altoona

Some daysI feel it's time to move and
live by the sea, especially when the ghosts of
Altoona are haunting me..
Many cities in Pa., so rich in history,

They were hey days in their time.
It's no mystery...
This once-booming railroad town
is still being visited by those now underground..
Home to the infamous Horse Shoe Curve, with
its one-way tunnel that will truly unnerve..
Many unsuspecting drivers attempted to navigate
and met their swift untimely fate...
At 17th Street, a circus train derailed. Again, many
lost their lives as the animals all bailed.
Just like a used tire that manufacturers retread,
some people that die by accident are unaware that they are dead.
Most days I just pray and ask them to kindly move on, for
the ghosts of Altoona, I wave my magic wand.

Copyright © Nancy Kaufman | Year Posted 2023

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Sara Kendrick Date: 6/20/2023 3:53:00 AM Thank you for sharing in poetic form some history about this town in Pennsylvania. Quite interesting information. Sometimes some very sad things happen in an area which makes it a unique but sad place to visit. Your visit to my page was uplifting. Sara Login to Reply Nancy Kaufman Date: 6/20/2023 5:28:00 AM Thanks Sara, I might add, as a novice poet, I sincerely can see that you are evolving with your writing. God Bless and thanks for visiting moi.

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 6/19/2023 1:39:00 PM - Use your magic wand wisely, Nancy :) - hugs Login to Reply Nancy Kaufman Date: 6/19/2023 7:21:00 PM LOL I have used a sagebrush in my condo when I first moved here. It's probably too big of a job to clean the whole town up though. Thanks for commenting Anne-Lise.

Paul Callus Date: 6/19/2023 1:18:00 PM Everywhere we go we are bound to come across narratives which pertain to the locality itself. In this case you speak of Altoona and tragic incidents which occurred there with a most capable pen that intrigues the reader. I hope your magic wand has not lost its powerful characteristics! ~ Regards // paul Login to Reply Nancy Kaufman Date: 6/19/2023 7:19:00 PM Hi Paul, you are most kind. I moved here three years ago after living in West Virginia for several years but am a Maryland native. I never paid attention to ghosts previously but apparently Altoona next to Pittsburg has quite a few of them.

Sotto Poet Date: 6/19/2023 9:43:00 AM Nancy, your contemplative poem is quite stirring. The specter of Altoona seems to have taken hold of your thoughts. The tragic derailment of the circus train at 17th Street, resulting in the loss of countless lives and the chaotic escape of the animals, has clearly left an indelible mark on you. I found your work to be deeply resonant. Login to Reply Nancy Kaufman Date: 6/19/2023 11:51:00 AM well for some reason unknown to me I moved here in 2020. It does have a rich history but I do hope to move to a warmer climate. I hope you are well and have a lovely day Sotto poet.