TRAIN OF THOUGHT
Brittle, freezing January morning,
Dark grey engine exhaust
Pumps into fish smelling air
Smearing the landscape.
Slack is taken up,
Carriages jolt into motion.
First black coffee clears
Sludge from oiled up brain,
Head lolls at the window –
Mind blank.
Reflected in the window
A boy in post war clothing
Sitting up straight, eyes alert.
Wheels clatter,
Speed gained, newspaper scanned,
Information sieved – and rejected.
Idea snaps at edge of routine thoughts,
First station stop, idea is lost.
Post war boy knows no such doubts.
Thoughts positive and many –
None forgotten.
Longest, stopless part of the journey,
Full speed is attained.
Mind ranges now fully awake.
Reflection in window triggers
Reflection and realignment.
Another black coffee, another part thought,
Longest mid journey no longer a slog,
Finding a way to use acquired learning.
Reflected in window a man in mid life,
A worthwhile idea jumps into his brain.
Next station stop train enters a tunnel,
End of journey quickly approaches,
Reflection in window shows scene stark and clear.
He steps down clutching tomorrow's idea.
Return to top
|
