images from a train

through the woods
and forests fleet
past meadows sweet
and peat bog black
the train moves on

past sidings idle
factories still
the Oder Neisse ramble
'tween broken bridges
shattered towns
old ways are
still remembered
the train moves on

gargantuan towers
breathe clouds of mist
and steam to block the sun
as in the slime filled
ditches now a heron stalks
the train moves on

startled deer to copse
retreat and on the chimneys
storks will mate
as in the tiny villages
on the open roads
the vast fields of former
times dwarf the children
seeking frogs
the train moves on

and as my station
too fast appears
and students head
into the town I wonder
what the steps I walk
would say if they could
but have their voice
a whistle blows
my train moves on



Poetry by Peter Humphreys
Read 1466 times
Written on 2009-03-23 at 19:25

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Rob Graber
Great job yet again, Peter. You work your material beautifully!
2009-03-26


melanie sue
oh, Peter! This is superb! i have always loved your use of imagery and this is another wonderful masterpiece....i just love this! you are truly an excellent writer and all your work is a pleasure to read. thank you for sharing your wonderful talent!
2009-03-25


kath
Your poetry is so beautiful and always takes me on a journey through the actual landscape portraied by your pen but also on a journey through my soul ... thank you
2009-03-25


Phyllis J. Rhodes
Thank you for the wonderful tour. It has been 50 years since my last train ride of significance. I hate that here in the States we have very few passenger trains that run cross country. My trip from Indiana to Florida and back when I was 10 was marvelous. We saw so much along the way. This was a welcome reminder.
Well done.
2009-03-23


Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
So glad to see you again Peter with your wonderful poetry - There is something about train journeys, the time spent looking out of the windows, watching scenery and lives just moving - You capture that transient feel so well

Elle x
2009-03-23