Train of Thought

They told me things
That left me on memory's wings
Long ago ...
When I write I show
The white eye of the page
Things that my own heart caged.
The almond like a miser
With its nut, the sun like a fire
Stoking my gut,
The journey that dawn my history
Snatched from unmuddled memory

The child playing alone
Pounding stone on stone
His only friend was solitude
And that shaping of him
Is my sum, span and latitude ...
To break the shell of wooden bone
And move the kernel
From its throne,
To the disgust of the sun
Roasting me
Till I was over done

My brother's hands took me out
And served me to my father's eye
So to grandmother I was en route
But I did not cry
Though things were sailing by
The world moving backwards
Leaving the sky
Cradled on my eye.
My mother's heart was snatched that day
It was my fault to play ...
A child at one needs a protecting eye.

It was my first train ride
And the only train I did not break
It was more than a toy
And too big for the sensibility of a boy.
The thing just swallowed up my pride
But I not quake
For I who defeated the sun
Would let my father see his son
Bravely longing
To return to solitude and fun,
I have watched carefully
My solitude when now I play, ruefully.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Segal Avatar
December 1, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Beautiful poem! love Simone
Guzzi Avatar
June 12, 2009 at 10:27 AM
wonderfull, joyous, colorfull...HUZZAH! Light & Love
Chamma Avatar
June 2, 2009 at 1:15 PM
A great write L'nass...Very potent...The title is great... Farah
Eggins Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 4:54 AM
Powerful write ... loved the images you gave us ...love Jayne x
Docherty Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Wow, what a lot you have packed in to this wonderfully written piece,so much emotion, story and technique! Well done my friend, kindest thoughts, Anna-Marie.
Strand Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Excellent L'nass especially that memorable enigmatic opening couplet/monoku.Rgds Brian & thanks for your always welcome coments
Higgins Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 8:21 AM
This is an impressive piece of writing that took me on journey of this author, giving me a window of this life and what shaped his pen.....well done my fellow brother from under the sun.
Richards Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 7:53 AM
Those last words....The train ride, and the thing that swallowed up your pride.....wow...this is so melancholy, with such a sad feeling from childhood. You touch the heart word by word, L'nass. ~ love, Carrie
Chircop Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 1:42 AM
beautiful,and i love the last verse mostly--charma
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace