Railway Lines: Towards Euston

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Originally published: 3rd April 2020

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay.

This poem was given an Honourable Mention in Brian Strand's "STRAND CHOICE Z" Poetry Contest.

Scenes from a UK train journey taken between Liverpool, Lime Street station and London, Euston station.

I fixed my eyes on railway tracks that were 'racing' with our train and from my seat I watched them veer to then meet up again. We raced through towns and villages although I'm unsure where as names for that split second on the platforms were a blur. We rattled through 'commuterville' and passed a slower train then disappeared into a void as lights came on again. The darkness then gave way to light and a sea of railway lines surrounded by graffiti on the bridges, walls and signs. And then a voice announced to all as London came in view: "please gather your belongings now and take them off with you." Some people reached above their heads lifting cases to the floor then stood and juggled with their coats for several minutes more.

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Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 4/7/2020 6:11:00 PM

Ah, your poetry has great rhythm , I love it, gl in the contest, thank you for sharing.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/8/2020 9:01:00 AM

And thank you for your kind comments Pixie Dust - it's much appreciated.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 4/5/2020 9:46:00 PM

Hi Gary, Congratulations! The meter of your poem is like the moving tempo of the train on the rails. It keeps moving effortlessly from stanza to stanza. Really nice!

Gary Radice
Date: 4/6/2020 3:36:00 AM

Thank you Sam - Cheers Gary! :)

Eric Cohen

Date: 4/4/2020 3:11:00 PM

Great imagery and writing. You painted a nice picture out of what might be an otherwise droll trip. You must love trains.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/4/2020 4:09:00 PM

:) I do love trains, you're right Eric. They provide a great source of material for my writing. Buses too! I love the idea of writing about mundane aspects of life and trying to make them come alive via poetry. Thank you for your valued comments. :) Cheers! Gary

David Smith

Date: 4/4/2020 4:12:00 AM

You manage the pace of your pieces so well. Another top effort. Still only one death here in NZ. Following what is happening in Britain with dismay. What is forecast for summer temperatures there. Hope no heatwave.as it will make things more Difficult perhaps. The whole of Nz is praying for Britain and indeed rest of world. Best regards David in NZ

Gary Radice
Date: 4/4/2020 4:54:00 AM

David, thank you for your lovely comments.