PASSING TRAINS
Look! It has four chuffers so it must be quite long,
Oh, by the way did you think I said something wrong?
What about an old puffing-billy, will that do instead?
What about a big namer that also comes to my head.
These names go back to childhood when I was small,
That the trains ran by steam engines or not at all,
They huffed, puffed and cuffed their way along the line,
With belching smoke that excited a child like good wine.
The toot of the whistle just sounds about the same,
The car they trail behind them carry names of fame,
Carrying freight around but we miss that chuffing sound,
Although the heavy ones still vibrate the solid ground.
Just one more time I would like to ride or see glide by
A train driven by an old chuffer and give a happy sigh,
Then go home. have a wash incase my face was black,
But even with a diesel pulling the load love I do not lack.
We love where we live with lakes, rocks and tall trees,
And the sound of the birds tweeting in tune to the breeze,
But also near the top of that lovely list sometimes going by
Are the passenger and freight trains that often catch our eye.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 27 June 2006