BACK TO THE DAYS OF STEAM

BACK TO THE DAYS OF STEAM

It had been a busy few days for me

With a journey on a steam train

Cloudy skies and rain on the glass –

I was nine years old again.

Forty five years is a long long time

To go back and take in the view

But I can hear my Father’s voice

Telling me what I should do.

“Act like a young lady – 

And get your head inside –

Why don’t you sit down 

And enjoy the train ride.”

So this Saturday morning

I sat down indeed –

And ignored the magazine 

That I had bought to read.

I sat alone and watched as we sped

Through countryside so special to me

The mist and the mountains

And I felt it a good place to be.

Nothing had changed in forty five years

The sounds and smell of the steam.

The scream of the whistle, the slam of a door

These were real – no longer my dream.

Horses alongside the railway track

With ears back and nostrils flaring

An occasional one – who stood his ground

With flashing eyes – somewhat daring.

Sheep and cattle all afraid and running

Away from the track to a safer place

A small and feisty Shetland Pony 

Standing with anger on his face.

Inside the carriage I sat and reflected

Brass luggage racks and coat hooks

Brought tears to my eyes

I was aware of passenger’s looks.

Once more I was nine years old

And memory has been kind

This journey on a steam train 

Brought joy and pleasure to my mind.

© Linda J. Vaughan

June 16th. 2002

This was a bitter/sweet journey as I was farewelled by a friend I would never see again.