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The Train Set

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Originally published: 11th July 2020

Image by Klaus Hausmann from Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st in the "STRAND COMPLETELY NEW (8) any theme any form" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 12th July 2020)

lit up with the power to attract and excite and framed by a window of the toy shop that night a miniature world of trains, bridges and hills took my mind off the cold from the late autumn chills. there were signals that moved and tables that turned and lights in the engines as if coal had been burned frustrated by others who had gathered there too I pushed them aside for a much better view. I stood there transfixed and stared through the glass at the landscape of plaster and fields of fake grass I watched as the locos passed by on the track to then vanish through tunnels somewhere at the back. there were small plastic figures all standing in line frozen on platforms and frozen in time they weren't duly bothered they'd missed the last train safe in the knowledge it would be round again. Christmas was near and if things worked out right I'd be playing with trains Christmas morn, noon and night but I let out a sigh before turning to go - I had already asked and my wife had said "no".

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John Watt

Date: 1/7/2023 8:46:00 PM

Gary, I love the intersecting of some of your favorite themes here: childhood, nostalgia, family, and of course trains! Such a clever buildup to the surprise ending, leading the reader to believe you were a schoolboy at a toy store window dreaming of what Santa might bring. Then pow, it's your wife whose permission you seek! Love it, classic Gary Radice writing style, flowing like the steady cadence of a train chugging along its rails. Congrats for your marathon win. Cheers ~ John

Gary Radice
Date: 1/8/2023 3:02:00 AM

Thank you John and thanks for your kind thoughts regrding a speedy recovery. I'm not there yet but hopefully I'm at least on the right 'track' when it comes to feeling well. The last month hasn't been too wonderful in all honesty. The toy store in question belongs in my past: Hobbies in Liverpool. Wonderful! I can see it now. - particularly at Christmas. Somehow it was the 'not being able to have' that added to the air of excitement and mystery around Christmas time as a child. I could dream of having and playing with a large train layout in my mind. Read you soon and all the best to you and your family for 2023. Cheers - Gary

John Watt
Date: 1/7/2023 8:48:00 PM

P.S. I'm sorry to hear you've been ill. I wish you a speedy and complete recovery, my friend.

Lin Lane

Date: 1/5/2023 6:40:00 AM

Congratulations on your winning entry, Gary. Your poetic talents are obvious in each line, and your skill at cadence and rhyme are fantastic.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/6/2023 2:59:00 AM

You're very kind with your praise Lin thank you. I'm just recovering from a second bout of a respiratory virus that has well and truly knocked me for six this last month so haven't been here as much as I'd like to have been. I'll have a read of all the winners soon. Cheers - Gary

Mark Toney

Date: 1/4/2023 9:19:00 PM

Gary, I feel your pain. You've nailed the emotion of the situation. And a Hornby Smokey Joe train set at that! Your wife said, "No?" Tragic. A Fav Poem for me. BTW- I still have my train set. It's up in the attic. In a box. My wife said it was time to put it away 38 years ago. So I put it away. But I still have it. At least, I think it's still up there. Hmmm... Congratulations on your win on Mile 23 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on because Mile 24 has already started.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/6/2023 3:01:00 AM

Thank you Mark. In some parallel world I'd have 2 rooms set aside for a model railway and just tilt my head at rail level and watch all the trains go by. Sadly I have the real world to contend with. :) I can dream. Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley

Date: 1/4/2023 8:12:00 PM

Dear Gary, I was completely captured by the sweet ‘seen-through-a-child’s-eyes’ enchantment of your poem and then completely charmed by the clever turn of your last line which made me laugh with the delight of it all. Congratulations for your excellent win in Mark’s contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gary Radice
Date: 1/6/2023 3:06:00 AM

Thank you Susan for your valued comments and continued support of my work. I'm setting aside some time to catch up reading (yet again) following recent illness. I'm not quite there yet and even typing words are an effort but get there I shall and look forward to reading your winning entry. Cheers - Gary

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 5/22/2021 6:33:00 AM

Delightful, evocative images of a world that, sadly, most women (in particular: wives) do not understand. Should we bless them for keeping us on (or off) track. Thanks for these entertaining verses, Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 5/22/2021 7:54:00 AM

I always wanted a train set as a child yet when I received one it looked nothing like the massive layout shown on a Hornby advert. Looking at the price of the locos these days maybe the best thing to do is to dream. Thanks Geoffrey for your visit and comments. I / We can still dream. :) Cheers - Gary

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 11/21/2020 12:03:00 AM

This poem really made me smile.. how often those little 'childishness' in us pops up and most of the time they are rejected too... Just read this poem as it was mailed to me. Well penned. Have a great day Gary! ~ Ani

Gary Radice
Date: 11/21/2020 12:38:00 AM

Hi Ani! I'm so glad my poem made you smile. The idea that there is a child in all of us crops up in several of my poems. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Jennifer Fenn

Date: 11/20/2020 9:59:00 PM

Hi Gary! What a fun poem! You describe the toy train so well I could easily picture it. I like how you lead us into thinking the speaker is a kid and then surprise us with the ending that he’s a grown, married man. I enjoyed this and all the other poems that came in my email today. Congrats on your lifetime membership.

Gary Radice
Date: 11/20/2020 11:19:00 PM

Hi Jennifer! Thanks so much for your lovely comments. It's very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Anne E Sangster - K

Date: 11/20/2020 5:33:00 PM

I really enjoyed reading this poem. It reminded me of the scene in the classic christmas movie where tiny Tim was watching the toys through the shop window. I also had a good chuckle at your wife saying no. Boys and their toys eh? ;-) Beautifully written!

Gary Radice
Date: 11/20/2020 11:23:00 PM

Thank you Anne for your lovely comments. What a great scene that was with tiny Tim. I remember as a child wanting a train set after seeing a very large layout in the shop window of Hobbies in Liverpool, UK. Yet, the wanting and dreaming of getting one was actually much better than the eventual receiving of one several years later. :) Cheers - Gary

Old Buck

Date: 11/20/2020 12:19:00 PM

Gary: This lovely work brought a tear. The last time I pleaded, she said: "If we buy a train it goes to the great grandson." It seems 80 is to old for fun. ;o( Thanks for sharing a good time with all of us on the soup. oldbuck

Gary Radice
Date: 11/20/2020 12:35:00 PM

My pleasure Old buck. I'm so glad you identified with me :) ..and hey..we're never too old! :) Cheers - Gary

Kavi Th

Date: 11/20/2020 9:31:00 AM

Humorously sweet! Everyone has a soft spot for a childhood toy. Congrats on your win!

Gary Radice
Date: 11/20/2020 10:48:00 AM

Thank you Kavira. I honestly believe that I'm 'growing down' :) Cheers - Gary

Patri Venkata Ramana

Date: 7/16/2020 9:57:00 AM

Wonderful. Congrats on your win!

Gary Radice
Date: 7/16/2020 10:28:00 AM

Patri, thanks so much for your comments. I hope you enjoyed the ride. :) Cheers. Gary.

Christopher Flaherty

Date: 7/15/2020 3:39:00 PM

Should have bought it anyway for yourself with a signed card saying love Santa this is for being a good boy this year Choo, Choo

Christopher Flaherty
Date: 7/15/2020 5:30:00 PM

Choo , Choo lucky you hope or trust you enjoyed the ride .

Gary Radice
Date: 7/15/2020 4:35:00 PM

The lovely jumper made up for it and I just lied about the jumper bit.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 7/14/2020 11:08:00 PM

Your ending has left me laughing at the the railroad crossing! I love your train poems, Gary. Christmas is coming - maybe Santa will relent! Christmas is about miracles. Congratulations.

Gary Radice
Date: 7/15/2020 3:28:00 AM

Thanks Sam :) I have a certain affinity with trains - I must have, I've written several poems about them in the last 9 months. :) Cheers Gary

Janice Canerdy

Date: 7/12/2020 12:40:00 PM

Gary, this is a GREAT poem--so skillfully written, telling an appealing story. Then your WIFE said NO. LOL! CONGRATS on your well-deserved win. Janice

Gary Radice
Date: 7/12/2020 1:09:00 PM

Thanks Janice! I'm building up to ask for a Scalextric (slot car racing) set this year. but not holding my breath :) Cheers Gary

Bryan Norton

Date: 7/12/2020 11:10:00 AM

Congratulations Gary. I'm proud to get my "training" from you. Have a great day!

Gary Radice
Date: 7/12/2020 11:21:00 AM

Cheers Bryan for reading 'between the lines!' :)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/11/2020 7:38:00 AM

I love this Gary! Nicely done! Something in many a man’s heart loves trains.

Gary Radice
Date: 7/11/2020 8:38:00 AM

Hi Kim! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading. I really appreciate your kind comments and you are so right about something in many a man's heart. :) Cheers, Gary