Best Train Poems
POTD - 25th September 2024
Synopsis -
A bitter-sweet, hauntingly romantic and heart-wrenching ballad that follows her journey of sorrow and longing, as she searches for answers to a love torn apart. Watch as the story unfolds, revealing the depths of her heartbreak. Thank you for watching.
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Love Hurts - Bound by Love Broken by Fate
(Extracted from my Poem ‘The Train’ and made into Lyrics and a video.)
Mesmerised by the candy-coloured rainbow
Coy behind the fairy floss clouds
Through shimmering sunbeams, we gazed
My senses in overdrive
As memories surface
And hover back to
That one day
Boarding this very train
Squeals of joy
As cloudbursts unleashed rain
Chorus
But you left me
You took my heart and locked away the key
Squeezing into one seat
Wrists caressed and kissed
Floating to that intimate space
Sensual lips taste
Whispered promises
Sparking bright eyes
And blushing rosy face
Softly against my ear a hum
Our song
Fingers daring to trace
Burning paths
Through shredded threads
Faded jeans
Breathless on the high line
Us, giggling teens
Chorus
But you left me
You took my heart and locked away the key
Speeding through fields of wildflowers
Sparkling like diamonds with the fallen showers
The train hooted in joy
Through the rain splattered window amazed
Mesmerised by the candy-coloured rainbow
Coy behind the fairy floss clouds
Through shimmering sunbeams we gazed.
Chorus
But you left me
You took my heart and locked away the key
We used to ride our bikes,
the ones without brakes,
along rusty tracks,
trying to keep up with trains
but like life,
they moved too fast,
we always got left behind.
Even in pouring rain
we would ride all day,
never feel the cold,
never tire of the freedom.
Following those endless tracks,
like run away trains -
escaping our demons,
chasing our dreams.
But you changed the day,
they stole your bike.
Saw life as an internal battle,
always spoke about the struggle.
When I expressed through ink,
you expressed through external
egotistical fist fights,
from nights of intoxication and women,
who you claimed were your sanctum
and you always played the victim,
so I travelled those tracks alone -
with a ticket for a new destination.
Now penniless you lie there,
feeling tired, shivering with cold,
hoping the illusions will end soon.
You struggle to utter a word,
yet manage to smile -
a sign for goodbye
and I wonder what if
it was my bike that had been stolen.
Silent One
Simple Musing
27 October 2019
Am I dreaming
or have I dreamt myself awake
I can’t seem to discern
between real and fake
What’s right
What’s wrong
which direction
should I take
Am I reasonably responsible
for the many mistakes I might make
Backward bouncy walking
Crazy ticketed talking
Following the run
in a pretty girls stocking
Unafraid of anything
Willing to do what’s shocking
Sarcastically mocking
Listening to head voices
My brain has lost it’s sane
my body’s rocking
My mind skipping
from Idea to Idea
You weren’t there a second ago go
but now I see you
Wait a second
I can see right through you
Black isn’t white
Yellow is now blue
Bending over
To take a boulder
out of my shoe
They were old yesterday
and now they’re new
But instead of one pair
I’m wearing out two
The room is shaking
Momma’s in the kitchen
Half baked
Pieces of everything
Tender flaked
The tiles under my feet
vibrate to the beat
Hey momma
“Trick or Treat?
Give me something good to eat”
Suddenly I’m covered by a sheet
on a cold stainless table
being processed like meat
sliding on a rail
Door closed
Fire burning
someone turning up the heat
Bell ringing, ringing, ringing
WAKE UP, Wake up Rick
If only I could
That would be a cool trick!
I feel like I’m being beat with a stick
Shake, shake, shake
“wake up Rick its Eight,
you’re going to be late.”
Get out of bed you fool.
It’s time for school.”
Eyes open, “I‘m up, I’m up!”
But wait
You can’t hear me talk
Because I’m an unwound
broken old clock
no longer able to tick or tock
I only have hands
so I can’t even walk.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Things that make me go hmm. The second hand of clock or watch is actually the third hand. ;0)
how many of you
wonder how
you find yourself
where you are now
on some fast train
that's shooting by
the world outside
and don't know why
and wishing as
it takes the bend
before it reaches
journey's end
that it would stop
to let you breathe
and disembark
then watch it leave
so you could turn
and walk right back
to all those stations
on your track
and find those places
on your list
that life's timetable
somehow missed
then walk those junctions
where you spent
time deciding
ways you went
and pull a lever
switching lines
to one that points
to better times
where crossing gates
unlike back then
now open to
free dreams again
and help put right
those signal fails
you blamed when life
came off the rails?
each day we grow
we come to learn
time's just one way
with no return
but though we can't
change all before
we get to know
life's journey more
and had you changed
the way you are
your train may not
have got this far
for each dark tunnel
lived each day
led out to light
here anyway
and while those platforms
from your past
might well explain
your travelling fast
remember too
that grass unseen
grows right here now
and just as green
where taking time
might help you plan
a slower route
whereby you can
move to a seat
to change your view
and learn to love
yourself as you
appreciating
all you see
before Grand Central's
destiny
while knowing hope
faith luck and care
helped drive that train
to get you there.
A sudden rain
cloaked the rail path
Lightning strikes were furious
Thunder storms drum big
Windows drenched in rain
Unable to see the scenes
Uncertain about the future
As we were trapped inside
Dreading the journey,
Holding my dad's fingers
I closed my eyes;
Leaning on his arms
Lamenting the harms
Frightened me, cried
To wipe out my tears,
he made me hear
his childhood memories
and funny stories
To obliterate my fear,
he enunciated his, failed cracks
and success tracks
"Beleive in the driver
and relish the journey"
He boldly advised
By sharing his life's journey
He made that messy journey
The memorable one
The stories I heard on that ride
could be correlated with all the current
and future circumstances
The lesson I assimilated
Is my guiding light
Even after the halt of the train
The words he uttered
resonated deeply inside
and still resonating
even after his demise
and will keep on resonating
throughout my life
Happy Father's day
ATTRACTION,,,,,
Eyes glued to body,
Roaming from head to toe,
Drooling mouth water...
FIRST LOVE,,,,,,
A sudden attack,
Swept off your feet,
Above cloud nine...
IN LOVE,,,,,,,,,,,
Communication amazing,
Thoughts wave connect,
Heart beating as one...
My first HAIKU
An outdoor wedding, no sign of rain
The bride’s gown had a 10-foot train
Crossing the lawn to her bequeathed
Fido snatched the train in his teeth
And Pop watched eight grand go down the drain
I was caught by a train yesterday
I hear people say
this often in exasperation
exaggerated tones
with over-dramatic groans
as if the train somehow
physically captured them
in its large mechanical grasp
diabolically refusing
to let them go
Yesterday
I was caught in a different way
imagination captured, you might say
captivated
charmed
and enchanted
by the passing art display
Something about the way
vibrant, vivid colors
unexpectedly
splashed out on moving canvas
of rust red and dull gray
traveling fast
across the city
feisty train talking smack
with tags and words amusing, witty
strange, disturbing, edgy, gritty
grinding down the tracks
Sometimes shocking-
artfully rendered obscenities
or surprisingly
endearing
cartoon creatures
manga characters
from overseas
expressed with impressive
expertise
and ingenuity
As other drivers sat nearby
fussing, fuming
missing the show
pawing their floorboards
like impatient horses
hands gripping wheels
ready to go-
I watched the trains in
constant childlike
wonder and delight
for those twenty minutes of my day
two trains gone by, one each way
...Then watched the other cars
rolling through
still red
flashing lights
as soon as crossing arms
were lifted halfway
rushing, roaring
trying to make up
the time that was “taken”
by the railway
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".
Ruth and her six year old daughter Annie, were moving along the countryside by Train. Ruth was reminiscing. She was staring deeply into her six year old daughter's beautiful brown eyes. Ruth was feeling emotional, and had a deep sorrow filling up her worried heart. The train proceeded. She clutched her daughter close to her with a special mother daughter bond. Anne, her daughter, looked up at her, innocently and asked, "Mommy why are you so sad?" She kept repeating, until her mom answered her. Not wanting to worry her, she replied, "Honey your Mommy is not sad." The six year old intelligently asked, " Mommy then why were you crying?" Her mom replied, " I'm OK sweetheart, now relax, and hold me." Ruth was experiencing a flood of thoughts of Annie growing up as a child. She was asking Annie if she remembered the first time she told her that she loved her. Annie said, " Yes Mommy I remember." Ruth kept a special Diary of times and dates, of special moments she and Annie shared. Ruth thought of Annie's first birthday, when she took her first steps, and was falling forward as she caught her, preventing her from hurting herself. Ruth reached in her jacket and said to Annie, " Honey, always have with you this diary. Annie took the diary and started looking through it. She said, "Mommy this is so special, thank you Mommy." Annies dad was imprisoned, and it added to Ruth's turmoil inside. She was trying to ascertain his whereabouts but was difficult to do so. Annie kept reminding Ruth of her father. She constantly was asking, " Where's Daddy Mommy?" " We will be with him soon." Was her repeated reply. The train made its way through and a Loud whistle blew. It started slowing down, and just before it stopped the whistle blew again. Ruth looked at Annie and said to her, " Always remember honey your Daddy and Mommy, will always love you. Promise me you will never forget." Annie replied, " I promise Mommy to remember." As the Caboose door opened Ruth held Annie's hand. Annie asked her Mom, "Mommy where are we?" Her Mom replied, " We are going to see Daddy and Grandpa, and Grandma." Ruth was shaking inside, and the journey was finally over. The SS Nazi Guards motioned them forward, and directed them into The Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Michael Tor
Ashes to Ashes
Smoke
rises in the distance.
The boxcar
rocks,
rocks,
rocks;
stones
are placed along the ties.
Were they placed by Chance
or left
as gently as Kaddish.
I lift my hands in the darkness;
the light of the knothole
lights the tips of my fingers like Shabbat candles,
and I cover my eyes.
I can smell them,
the names
put in the furnace.
Silence screams out of the smoke stacks
as vowels burn away
as consonants try to escape the fire, flee
up the concrete throat and out
into the sky
escaping the camp disguised in grey coats of ash,
at last,
as winter covers the mirrors
of the lakes with ice.
Contest: Last Train to Auschwitz
Sponsor: Kai Michael Neumann
Fingers tapping....
Upon the windows pane
To a certain rhythm inside
Inside, as the colors and the sights
Out of concious mind
Quickly pass me by
Contemplating deeply, I suppose
Heaven knows....
While out of the corner of my eye
Suddenly, I break this course of thought
As I see her sitting there
A cup of coffee held warmly
Within her soft and lovely hands
Her beautiful smile
As she notices my glance
Upon a train....
Bound for someones somewhere?
And I think unto myself
While staring back out
Quickly across the ambient skies
Unto a world, far beyond this place....
Tapping my fingers gently
As I turn to see her again
Thinking of forever, thoughts
And how, I have never believed
In chance....
Touching the windows frame
Wondering about her life, her story, herself
My eyes, beyond these color marked skies, now
Turning, with a cup of coffee
Still, within her perfect and precious hands
Smiling as I amber
Slowly to where she sits
Tapping her fingers, and tilting her head
"Hello my dear, have not I met you before?"
A gleam of acknowledgment
As she smiles and says, "Yes"
Upon a train....
Going to someones somewhere?
I take a seat, and I boldly take her hand
Knowing, as the conductor calls out
"Tickets please; " as she reaches into her purse
And I, within the pocket of my shirt
As I gaze into her eyes
Deeply, as she gazes into mine
Next stop; tapping upon the table top
To a rhythm, of beautiful thoughts
Eyes turning unto the ambier skies
Her hand, now gently clutching mine
"I have never believed in chance," she said
As I slowly leaned forward
And then, softly kissed her parting lips
"Here we are," she quietly whispered
Into my now, enraptured ears
Upon a train....
Unto someones somewhere?
As the conductor called out, "Welcome"
...................."To"...................
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ "Dreamendon" ~
I feel so grand this special day in June
while waiting at the station for my ride
aboard the new steam engine coming soon
to take me to a place where I can hide
from city noise and busy city streets;
from smog-filled air and houses crowded so,
to countrysides with grassy fields of wheat
and clear blue skies where soft winds come and go.
Here comes the beauty, black, in clouds of steam;
she pulls beside the station; "All Aboard"
is called, and so I quickly run and dream
to settle down with suitcase neatly stored.
Click-clack of spinning wheels sounds like a song;
the gray steam lends the awe of mystery,
with cloud-like drifts that form and move along
while taking me to somewhere wild and free.
With constant pace, the steam train grinds its wheels
through mountain passes, narrow tunnels too.
The beauty of the valley, hills, and fields
soon takes my breath away; a wondrous view!
As on she chugs with clanging bell on top,
she sings a song of motion heading home-
that place down yonder where she'll make a stop;
my destination of new lands to roam.
January 21, 2015
~1st Place
Contest: Railroads, A Historical Glance Back
Sponsor: BJ Legros Kelley
Judged: 11/16/2021
Along the mountain pine valley did the Iron Horse roar,
A steam belching black demon, burning red hot coals
Within it's steel belly.
Speed's hell bound creation, driven by greed's insatiable hunger,
Faster, faster it moves at acceleration rush, to
Achieve manifest destiny's final arrival on time.
In the distance hear another lone whistle blow, spitting,
And spewing with brimstone's gray smoke.
This indeed is the devil's train, carrying the forsaken,
To the depot of no return.
With a half empty payload aboard, Satan makes a deadly
Judgment call, stoke up those engines boys, ramming
Speed if you please.
Made man beasts are these mechanical monsters
Of destructions, lethal death weapons, chained
Down to the steel rails, and iron pikes.
Ebony stallion's racing against the winds,
As redden sparks sizzle and bite at the crisp autumn
Air, bellowing fumes poisoning the night.
The engineer of the 10; 15 out of Tombstone,
Checked his pocket watch, speaking impatiently,
He did so yell out, come along fellow's, we have a
Schedule to keep, and we've hours behind in our dead line,
So let’s pick up the pace.
Now the devil's train came out of know where,
With hell's supernatural master at the wheel,
Heckling, and laughing, relishing in the carnage’s
Utter calamity to come.
On a lone chewed up mangled piece of track,
Lies wreckages debris blood, flesh and twisted metal,
Lain stewned for miles beside the wild wilderness.
Broken bones, and sheared off limbs, weeping mother's
Cradling limp, lifeless bodies, crying why, God almighty
Why?
But the lord and heavenly father, had nothing to do,
With this unnatural disaster, nay the devil had many
Empty spaces to fill, and his passengers list was lean.
So he leveled the crimson ground with his dark gavel,
Taking souls at high velocities supernatural speed,
For this is the devil's ghost train, and it is so
Hell bound.
BY: CHERYL ANNA DUNN
there's a spot on the horizon
in the ripple of the sun
where railway lines and stanchions fuse
and merge becoming one.
I was staring from the platform
when a distant dot appeared
it grew in size and shape and form
and sounded as it neared.
I caught blurred faces turning
as they thundered by so fast
to briefly glimpse where strangers met
each thursday in the past.
back then the steam and music
lit up life's black and white
- by tugging strings when love went wrong
rachmaninoff was right.