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In another strand, someone reminded me of the joy of looking out the train at night too--and even though, depending where I am, I often use some of the dark time to catch up on some reading, I do often enjoy looking out the window of my sleeper after dark. Esp last summer, that prairie moon while going through Nebraska--it was really something! While I was watching it, I kept thinking of my favorite train poem, "Night Journey" by Theodore Roethke.
I don't know if it would be OK to post it here or if it's still under copyright, but it does seem to be in sites on the Net. Here are some links:
We've had strands on favorite train books, movies, and songs, but I don't think we had one on train poems before. If anyone has any other good ones, I'd love to hear about them!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Poet Carl Sandberg just had a train named after him, and he was born in Galesburg IL, a rail town where the Zephyr and Southwest Chief part ways. I found this poem of his.
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I have no poetry but I concur about the night scene from the train. On the recent Sunset Limited trip I looked out the window at night in Arizona and there was Orion, clear as could be. We don't see such things in Los Angeles any more.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Ooh, the Night Journey was a good one. It is seldom I find poetry I like, even though I dabble in it myself from time to time.
I, too, have seen many wonders by turning out the Roomette light on a moonlit night. And seeing the headlight shining on snow covered hills as we snake our way through the Cascades is another delight. I could go on...
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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I was lucky enough to be on a very late SB Starlight that let me see a full moon on the ocean before we arrived in Santa Barbara. Others were complaining but I didn't want that trip to end!
Frank in, finally, WET SBA!
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Well, I don't see many takers for train poems thus far, but here is another that I may like as much as "Night Journey"--reminds me of something we talked about here, stopping in some of the more out-of-the-way stations with interesting, memorable names--like Minot (rhymes with Why Not?) or Winnemucca. It's by a somewhat lesser known World War I poets--killed in the war, in fact. When you read it, keep in mind that Oxfordshire is pronounced OX-furd-shurr (not ox-furd-SHIRE, as many Americans would say) and Gloucestershire is pronounced GLOSS-turr-shurr--that will maintain the rhythm. Also, unwontedly means unaccustomedly--I figure the stop is an unscheduled one?
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I enjoyed the trainku, Ira. Only now it will be hard to ride the train without humming Little Eva! In fact, I just had a mental image of passengers in a conga line snaking through a train singing, "Do the locomotion with me." Now wouldn't that be fun (after the wine tasting on the Empire Builder, perhaps. . . . )?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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This poem makes a great point. Some passengers would join the conga, some wouldn't. Those in the latter group would forever regret the day they didn't snake the train. Folks in the former group would carry to their graves the fond memories of being silly with Sojourner & Ira (and crack a smile whenever they recall that look on the judge's face when they recited this inspirational poem in hopes of reducing their sentence).
My dear friends and fellow riders of the rails, always conga when the opportunity arises. Life is too short not to do the loco-motion from time to time.
Posts: 445 | Registered: May 2002
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The Department of Homeland Security should be advised of this suspicious behavior immediately.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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Zepher, lots of meaning and very good advice in that poem. Thanks. To go from the sublime to the rediculous...do you think the bagpipers could lead us.? That would keep Security busy for some time,,they are wearing non-conforming clothing ergo they are aliens and up to no good!!!
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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My, my, trainlady. Please watch what you post about non-conforming clothing, aliens, bagpiping leaders, and such and such of this ilk.
You seem like a very nice person, and it would hurt me beyond belief to have to put you on this forum's "watch list." Please mind what you say. You don't want to join the likes of TSR, Elvis, and Ira. Believe me, you don't want to be a member of this motley group. Being on the "watch list" is worse than being on a hopelessly late Sunset Ltd in August with all A/C BO'd on all revenue units. Dig?
Regarding the poem The Train of Life, it is inspirational. Note the website where it's posted.
Regarding Ira's trainku, "doing the loco-motion with me" has stuck in my head for real. Can't stop singing the tune and dancing the dance. Which is a problem because I can't sing nor dance (which my wife seems to enjoy pointing out on frequent occassion).
Posts: 445 | Registered: May 2002
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Forgive me, Zepher, I forgot how sensitive you are and heavn forbid I should upset that sensitivity. I must admit after reading Ira's trainku I do not mind being in his "group" . Seriously, he does have a lovely talent and I do thank him for sharing it with us. PS MY sympathy to your wife. I couldn't carry a tune if it were in a basket so I don't inflict my so called voice on the family.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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