The Sleepers Awake

THE SLEEPERS AWAKE For century or more they served Unchanging paths they always kept As in a dream the tracks preserved With faith immovable they slept One day as on a given sign Their somnolence came to an end They woke and each looked down the line Thought: ‘Now’s the time to make amend’ The drivers were caught by surprise (They never chose to left nor right) And they could not believe their eyes At unexpected views in sight What should have been a vernal place With nothing but some cows and sheep Revealed a bustling teeming space Of cars and people half asleep Some passengers were due for shock Arriving not in Waterloo But disembarked at Pembroke Dock Some stayed; (it was a nicer view) Some thought they headed for train boats To Marseilles Nice or yet Cadiz But woke in sight of John O’Groats Got off the train with shivering knees These days of glorious free ride Gave inspiration, passing strife When they could choose and they decide And thus perceive a truth of life Then with a satisfaction deep They resurrected each old line And laid down there once more to sleep Perhaps to wake another time