Notes About The Poem

In memory of the romance of a lost era. 

The Train

Here I rest, a rusting hulk
Alone, aloof, within my bulk
The hiss of steam within my veins
The pistons pulling at the reins
Mere memories now of a loyal life
Now round my rivets rust is rife
No clank of coal, no whistle shout
No churning wheels, no water spout
Now rust flakes fast to line my grave
Where only leaves and litter pave
This epitaph to a faithful slave
And don't deny I served you well
Yet now condemned within my cell
Of rusted rails that bind me fast
Those guiding hands of days long past
When smells of grease and hissing steam
Echoed gleams and children's screams
As stones and steel rushed past my head
Now tears of rain make up this bed
A burial cloak for a servant laid
To rest and rust in romance dead
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Ogbuagu Avatar
August 24, 2025 at 3:22 AM
This is a great poem. I find it bucolic - like the diary of a quiet and keen observer in the serene plains of North America. Beautiful.
Gifford Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Hello Radical Rooney, this is an excellent write and an enjoyable read. Loved hearing the clanking sound when you closed the doors. Have a wonderful day.
Rooney Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Thanks so much
Duraiswami  Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Absolutely awesome imagery my friend, great rhyme and meter. Loved it thoroughly. God bless you.
Rooney Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Many thanks much appreciated
Morris Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Excellent imagery—what a pleasure to read a true poem. A work of rhyming verse that carries genuine emotion, rather than prose merely masquerading as poetry.
Rooney Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Thanks so much !
Nance Avatar
May 6, 2016 at 7:31 PM
WOW, I love it, I am a train girl this speaks to me. I'm faving this! :)
Rooney Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Thanks so much !
Rios Avatar
May 6, 2016 at 9:14 AM
Like the imagery
Rooney Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Many thanks
A  Avatar
January 30, 2016 at 8:03 PM
Hi Radical Rooney, A great pleasure to find and read your pen today. Love -- SKAT --
Rooney Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Thanks so much Skat
Rooney Avatar
May 8, 2016 at 9:03 AM
HI SKAT LOVE YOUR WORK THANKS FOR COMMENTS RAD
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