Sleepy Whistle

Sleepy Whistle

A Poem by Cherrie Palmer

Sleepy whistle drifts away.


Now hear the clickity clack of the swaying train.


Meandering smoke trails behind,

 

as black on black outlines the night.

 

My bobbing head gives way to rest.

 

an icy pillow chills my head,

 

leaning on the window seat,

 

and the clickity clack consumes my dreams.


A baby’s cry redirects my sight, but weighted lids

 

reclaim the night.


Whispering lovers sweeten my rest

 

As the clickity clack of the rails do the rest.

Wheww! Wheww!

 


© 2020 Cherrie Palmer


Author's Note

Cherrie Palmer
yes or no to the hidden words?

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Featured Review

The train chugs along, lulling one to sleep... This poem stands out for me as I loved traveling on trains as a kid and the plethora of things happening on board. I'd never tire of taking everything in and yes I slept like a log! Loved the clickity clack. Thank you for bringing back such sweet memories, Ms. Cherrie!

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Cherrie Palmer

2 Years Ago

I missed your wonderful review and I'm sorry. Thank you so much for the review.



Reviews

One of the best train songs I've ever heard. And that includes the Clarksville and the City of New Orleans one.Well done.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

2 Years Ago

Thank you, Ken:)
I don't know. I think the 'WHEW WHEW' would have been cool added in on a couple spots in text. This poem brought back a lot of memories of train rides. I could feel the rhythm of the clickity clack as I read this.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

2 Years Ago

Hello William:) I'm so glad you liked this one.
Originally I had a few more ghosted words.. read more
William Michael Reeves

2 Years Ago

I'm thinking that would have been better. Ghost lines accompanying each line? Hmmm. Now I want to se.. read more
Cherrie Palmer

2 Years Ago

Then, Bill it is:)
The idea of riding on n a train drifting into sleep with the crying baby fading as the sound of lovers

Posted 3 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

3 Years Ago

I liked the layering of life that is always around us. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Poetic Beauty

3 Years Ago

You are welcome.
Through the Appalachian Mountains…I would love to capture your moments on a train ride. To me, the faint words indicate the train passed a lone station, faintly lit by one light, and it’s the sound those people hear as they watch it travel further down the tracks. I feel like I’m on the train and those people standing outside the lone station are playing a part in my life story. Do you know the word “sonder?” If not, look it up. It’s a fascinating concept. A nice, warm read.


Posted 3 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

3 Years Ago

I too thought of the whistle at the end as a fading signature of the passing train. I hope you get t.. read more
Suzanne Sonderleigh

3 Years Ago

I loved the “Sonder” feel so much, I made it part of my nom de plume.
Cherrie Palmer

3 Years Ago

... and an excellent pen name it is:)
Yes to the hidden words but have some whispery smoke coming after them. Your title really summed up your poem and some it was a beautiful ride. Oh I also love a chill pillow

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

4 Years Ago

I liked the whistle sound typed in a pale grey. I tried this once before 'Hidden' another poem wit.. read more
it is a lullaby hard to resist .. the rocking to and fro and distant loon calls of the whistle ..(very loud if close at hand) ;)) .. I read Richards poem dedicated to you Cherrie! ;) of course had to come and read yours from which he took inspiration ... like i said to him .. i am inspired to take a week long train ride ... just for fun .. out and back .. now i am doubly inspired .. may even look into it today ;) best of the day to ya!
E.

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

4 Years Ago

I have to agree with you Richard's poem calls for a ticket.
Einstein Noodle

4 Years Ago

i am so glad we met ... right here at the Cafe' ... ;)
Cherrie Palmer

4 Years Ago

I am too, :)
About final words in gray . . . I could not imagine it "quiet" (which gray implies) . . . train whistles seem to be blasting loud, so the subtle treatment might be a little incongruous for me! Your poem made me long for train-travel to be viable always. Nobody should miss the experience of taking a long train ride, which you've brought to life for all the senses. It's hard to imagine that train travel (as we knew it) will someday be obsolete like stagecoaches! Your poem puts us into a reverie! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

4 Years Ago

I left that line grey, kinda like the passing of the train and or poem with all its sounds and imag.. read more
A relaxing and romantic write. Great work!

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

4 Years Ago

Thank you:) I really enjoyed writing this one.
Laying here reading because I woke up earlier than I wanted to. This is a perfect read for me.
I absolutely love it.

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

4 Years Ago

:) thank you I'm thrilled you l enjoyed this early morning find.
light and ashes

4 Years Ago

You are welcome!
You have touched on one of my favorite memories. I rode a train to southern ohio as a child. I the clickity clack was the greatest sound ever. Love ya

Posted 4 Years Ago


Cherrie Palmer

4 Years Ago

Yes, I love the sound and feel of a train, I am so glad to stir such a wonderful memory.

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Added on October 28, 2020
Last Updated on October 29, 2020

Author

Cherrie Palmer
Cherrie Palmer

Springfield , MO



About
I am a published poet and love poetry. After a lifetime of country living, I'm making a move back to town. I find my surroundings a great inspiration to me. I also have two books on Amazon Kindle: .. more..

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