.... The TRAIN .... (sojourner's yearning)

Unmetered Sestets … I was asked, "Don't you write anything but classical poems?" Then, Cherrie said, "So, let's have a train poem, in your unique voice." For Cherrie; and, it's not classical. 😃

🍁

. . . . T h e  T R A I N . . . .

The train of love,

the train of life,

take the train away from strife.

Buy your ticket

'n steal away  . . .

tarry not nor stop to play.

Pack your bags

all full and neat;

then, reserve a comfy seat.

There's upperclass;

then, lower, too . . .

I'm in the middle, it is true.

So, tell Conductor

when you board,

"Sorry, it is all I could afford."

Though, matters not

what lies ahead . . .

a pullman car with sleeper bed.

There'll be scenes galore

'cross mountains high,

wondrous visions passing by.

And, when I'm hungry

there's a dining car,

with drinks aplenty at the bar.

You see, this train

is not brand new;

its the kind to pull you through

when there's no hope,

no laughter left,

only happiness bereft.

So, go book The TRAIN

down that long railroad track.

Clickety-clack, I ain't coming back.

"A l l l   a b o a r d !!"

Richard W. Jenkins

©2020

Author's Note

Illustrations from Google Images

Be sure to read Cherrie's train poem, "Sleepy Whistle".
https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Cherrie_Palmer/2488602/

Please, feel free to offer constructive critique. ✍

Reviews

[Susan 🦋]

Ok where do I buy a ticket!!! LOVING this piece!..WOW... first, the poem. WONDERFUL!!! I need a train like this to pull me through or at least escape for a little bit!!! So nice! Secondly, the presentation is just a treat! It's fun and cheery and clever...Lastly, It made me smile. :-)))))))))))))))))))))) choo choo!

[Richard🖌]

Good morning there, Dear Susan ☕️

====|====|====|====|====|====
Pack-up only your fancy glad rags,
toss all cares and troubles away;
but, check-in only your big bags,
each filled with a brand new day.
====|====|====|====|====|====
Then, come step right up, Ma'am,
to the front of a long ticket line;
you will soon see, it isn't a sham.
Destination? Free peace of mind.
====|====|====|====|====|====

You, with your effulgently inspiring compliments and sweet accolades, always inspire an olde hopeful bard, and are far better than any poem could be. It's so lovely of you, Dear Poetess, to bless such a cool Autumn morn with your generously kind, welcomed warmth.

I'm thrilled you like the presentation, too, Susan … isn't it fun to create?
Your smile is so catching … thank you ever-so happily 😃 ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Lisasview]

Dearest Richard,
Well, I am on that fabulous train.. I bought my ticket...Now watching the world go by..
I love the pullman car and the sleeper bed.. My kind of train!!
Yes, "thou matter not what lies ahead.."
All aboard!!!!!
Such fun...
Lisa

[Richard🖌]

Howdy, Miss Lisa 🚂🚃🚋

I'm so glad you could climb aboard this fun little train … the trip was feeling a bit lonely.
There's nothing like the quiet privacy of a sleeping bunk with the curtain pulled and the gentle swaying clickety-clack of the railroad track … sleep like a baby.

Thanks for joining me on this trip … woo-woo-woooohhH! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome...
Lisa, Sunday morning in Spain

[barleygirl]

I have a penchant for watching trains, being ensconced in the old-timey mood . . . being swept away by all the noise & steam & power. You include all the aspects train lovers love most about riding the train, all done with palpable anticipation & bouncy-rockin' rhyme. My favorite "train" scene comes as the intro credits roll, starting the film "Out of Africa" . . . stunning African scenery that dwarfs a massive chugging powerhouse. Your playful spirit is the most palpable thing about your train journey in words (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Margie_ _🚂_ _

Glad you climbed aboard my little train trip for an enjoyably nostalgic trip down memory's long track. As a wee lad, I, too, had a love for trains, especially the chugging, puffing kind of locomotive with a red caboose on the end and red and green lantern swaying the overhang. The click-clack of wheels passing over the rail joints always mesmerized me, so I can relate so vividly with your own enchantment and excitement.
Boy! You sure hit that nail square on the head with the steam engine introduction scene in "Our Of Africa", and what a majestically enthralling movie on all levels … one of my all-time favs.

It makes me very happy, indeed, that something in my spirit brought this work to life for you … thanks a zillion for your wonderful review, Margie … HUGS! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Vectra Mendonie]

This was such a fun piece. I could imagine it as a bit of catchy lyrics from a fast-paced musical. I did notice in the fifth stanza, you put ii's where I thinks you meant it's. Still a great poem, I just wanted to point it out if you felt the need to change it. If I made the mistake in reading it wrong, sorry. Good job!

[Richard🖌]

Happy mornin' to ya, Lady Vectra 🌤️

It makes me feel happy to see your name under my poetry as reviewer, because I know there'll be imaginative inspiration, praise and appreciation expressed … everything a bard needs to enjoy writing and sharing in hopes of receiving.
Good eye in the "iits" bit, too … I completely missed it, and this eye to detail is among the many reasons why I need, and am grateful for, critique on my efforts.

I very much like your "fast-paced musical" take; I hadn't thought of it, but it fits perfectly. : )
Thanks million, Vectra! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

light hearted ...uplifts me spirit Richard! we all need that place of no stress .. it is a must in everyone's baggage and closet ;) reading has ignited a desire to take a train ride .. for about a week .. going out one way and coming back another :)
E.

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh-so, M'Dear Fine Friend_🚂🚋🚃___

Let's climb aboard and ride those rails to unknown destinations of life's mysterious wonders … what a trip that would be for two olde bard's eh? : )
I am sooo happy this fun little tongue-in-cheek piece has raised your spirits so nicely … what could I hope for more inspiring to my own?

Thank you for joining me on this little sojourn, My Friend … with joyful smiles 'n brotherly hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

i'm in Richard .. yes .. what a ride it would be :)

[prema]

It was a mistake to post in cherrie's review thread .sorry
Now I hope I am doing correctly .
IN your poem I particularly like the line
"It's the kind to pull you thro when there's no hope ,no laughter left
only happiness bereft"

[Richard🖌]

Aw, Prema 👍🏼

It's fine with me … I just thought you'd like my response to your review to go to You. : )
I think you've singled-out the main pivot point of the entire poem … I mean, what could be a more excited and satisfying ride than to the journey's promising destination that's pulled you through life's unhappiness?

For a most thoughtfully appreciative review … I thank you ever-so gratefully! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[prema]

Yes it is the journey that matters .As you told it should be exciting and satisfying ,otherwise what is the thrill in riding? Right now I am passing through
difficult times .May be because of that I have written like that.

[prema]

Once more I have read the poem .It is a fantastic one .I really like your style.

[Richard🖌]

How sweet 'n kind of You 😏

Nothing warms me quicker or more deeply than a poetess who knows what she likes and is not hesitant to share it.
This particular piece is tongue-in-cheek at the behest of an invitation to write in my "unique voice".

It makes me sooo happy you've felt favorable reason enough to like my "style" and tell me … smiles 'n hugs! ⁓ RJ 🍃

[poetgurl]

I want a one way ticket out of here, I want a ticket to the crazy train... WInk**

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, Kimmie 🙃
Don't we all(?) … LOL!

Cute response … I want the seat next to yours! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[poetgurl]

we can share some laughs, about this crazy world that we live in... 😂

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A refreshing sojourn into a less classical write that does not change the precise art of moulding words into sculptures of poetry, you so deftly offer us Richard. Now get outta our town or we will rope you to them there tracks and see that whistle blow!

[Richard🖌]

Howdy, buddy! 🤜💥🤛

It's so nice to see ya out 'n about today, spreading good cheer, compliments, and dire warnings to interlopers. I've been run outta town on a rail, but never tied to the tracks … LOL!
Cherrie prompted me to write something about a train, and this is what popped out … it was a fun change.

Thanks, My Fine Friend … here's hoping your day's filled with miles of clickety-clack smiles! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Ankita Dwivedi]

Wow!! The poem is really sweet and lovely. Now, I want to get on a train lol. Also, I am not capable of being a critique to your work so you will have to manage with this..

[Richard🖌]

Such lovely words in review, Ankita Dear 🌼

Wouldn't it be wonderful to board a train for a journey through your beautiful India's countrysides? What a dream that would be, eh? ; )
Don't concern yourself with critique, as long as we're having fun is all the matters … I already know my efforts aren't perfect.

Thank you ever-so warmly for your inspiring compliments … bug HUG! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Ankita Dwivedi]

Oh.. So sweet of you... Ironically I do think your work is perfect... I need your critique in my work.. Lol which i m not fortunate enough to have i guess.. How are you BTW?

[Richard🖌]

I am Super! 🙃
You have all my critique your lovely heart wishes … I'll be by your place for a visit very soon.
You think my work is perfect, Ankita? It is You, indeed, who are the sweet one.

[Richard🖌]

Why, you never even read my last critique of your excellent "Parting Song" poem, or you never commented on it. 😩

[Ankita Dwivedi]

Yeah! I will be waiting for your valuable words.. And there is no bound to your experience and talent.. I learn a lot from poets like you... And I have since I camr on cafe :) thanks

[Richard🖌]

I'm still waiting for your response to my review of your "Parting Song" … LOL!
It's my delightful pleasure to share with a wonderful young poetess of your caliber and bright potential.

[Ankita Dwivedi]

Oh I am so sorry... I must have forgotten.. *embarrassed

[Richard🖌]

Aw, shucks!
That's alright, Ma'am (m'hat in hand, wigglin' my toe). 😌

[duff]

By far my favorite way to travel. i lived in Italy and we took the train everywhere at a time when it was cheap. The sounds and the big windows are amazing when you're a kid. The freedom to get up and the privacy of your own cabin. Watching the adults drink wine as the towns pass by. Your words are a pure journey. This was memory lane for me and I can't stop smiling. I don't sleep much but I always could on a train. Stunning work Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Duff! : )

What a neat review … i love it when readers relate to something in my humble little efforts; even more when ya smile and it's as entertaining as your youthful tale. I, too, enjoyed train trips as a kid. True, too, that "cheap" is certainly not today's astronomical fare. : /
Like You, I always slept like a baby to the clickety-clack of the railroad track.

Thank you, My Friend … it's a review such as yours that makes writing and sharing feel so worthwhile! ⁓ Richard 🍃