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.
