Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Scream Of Joy


A gem revived from yesteryear
It sat upon iron rails
Majestic steam billowed forth
As the scream of joy
Tore through my soul
A chance discovery
Opening a dam
of childhood memories
As it stood
Before my eyes
With haste I strode
Ticket in hand
As the conductor bellowed
"all aboard"

Ticket punched, up the stairs
I lightly sprang
Settling on a wooden bench with anticipation
For what would transpire

That lovely sound
Of the whistle
Set many things in motion
The train with a "chug chug chug"
And my mind
Down memory lane

As we bumped through
Green country scenes
In a cloud of steam and cinders
All with sooty smiles




14 comments:

  1. I took that ride, it was one of the longest days of my life. But now in reflection, it was a great day, the weather fine, I long to ride that train again.

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  2. Oh yes, trains take me straight back to childhood. I took many train rides then. Now that they are too expensive, I wish for one last ride along the rails. Might have to hop one as a hobo. LOL. Nice to see you here, Robert.

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  3. From "scream" to "steam" this poem is marvelous! That antique train sound is one I adore.

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  4. I like the direction you took for this prompt. A wonderful ride!

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  5. In NC we have the Tweetsie Railroad...a totally restored steam engine that chugs through the mountains and gorgeous scenery. This took me back to childhood and the ride on Tweetsie.

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    1. there are several here within a 3 hour drive so I discovered Toni... it might become an addiction...:)

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  6. Having worked for a railway company in my thirties, the childhood thrill soon wore off and the enthusiasm of of my own children to ride at train became more of a chore!

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  7. In a cloud of steam and cinders
    All with sooty smiles

    Hank had lots of recollection of those steam engines with their 'sooty' inconveniences (mostly affecting the eyes!

    Hank

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  8. In childhood everything is an adventure, 'scream of joy'. Thanks for this unique take :)

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  9. I love riding steam trains - we have a few that run through North Norfolk.

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  10. Sounds like you had a good time with the trains going down memory lane

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  11. I love those old trains! I have never ridden on a train it's on my bucket list. I'd love to sleep on one too.

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  12. What a delightful piece! And the image of the old train makes me want to scream for joy as I reach for my backpack.

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