When That Whistle Blows

  

I hear the whistle of the train

Drifting over these plains.

It is a bittersweet sound for me,

But has always been my friend.

So many times it has brought the comfort

Of a complete stranger to these lonely parts

To show me life outside these same dusty trails

As I learn that paved roads can be dirtier.

Then one day that southbound train

Takes away what it gave to me so generously

Leaving me to wonder why they couldn’t stay.

Is this a lesson or punishment for past deeds?

The answer always seem to blow away

Faster then that speeding train.

So as I listen to that whistle blow

Yet one more time

That old question races to my mind?

Is it the beginning or an end

To this run down ghost town?

Reviews

[Fran Marie]

Is this a lesson or punishment for past deeds?
The answer always seem to blow away

Sometimes we may never understand or know tthe answer
either~ maybe it is bad karma/punishment indeed for the past
who knows~ but the sound of the lonesome train whistle makes
you wonder in the middle of the night thinking of memories from
long ago and of all the people passing thru~your life

~Thought provoking piece Dale~ you expressed it so well!!

[Tina Kline]

A haunting and chilling poem filled with sadness and loneliness.
The train can be a lonely sound, I hear them a lot where I live.
They come and go, bringing and taking away.

Love your poem!

[Ich bin das Giftmä..]

Hmmm I am thinking this was inspired by the man in black Johnny Cash? Folsom Prison Blues? What a great poem good job

[An Ordinary Woman]

Paved roads really can be dirtier, so true. I have rr tracks right behind my house and while it can annoying at times, it is a sound of comfort for me too.


Nice writing that I can relate with. Loved it!

[*** Hey Jude***]

Nice flow to these thoughtful recollections! Never punishment Dale, just learning lessons along the way as I'm sure you know. I am a train lover and grew up hearing the whistles blow, great memories, and great write! ~ Jude :-)

[emmajoy]

I wonder if the train stands for the coming and going of so much in your life. Memories of people, events, moments and years; the train comes and goes - slowly, at speed, stops briefly, then .. moves out, onwards and away out of sight.

The sound of trains is almost tear-jerking, can represent so much.. is welcome hugs, is farewell tears.. is frantic noise and exciting adventure but in the night, it seems to move like thunder, brief lights flashing under the stars. Maybe my interpretation is wrong but..

I love your writing, the words always make me think and picture. That's true skill, Dale

[LisetteCanWrite!]

Oh I felt such sadness and yearning in this piece.. like a metaphor in living colour.. a train that consists of a past possibly of relationships which each inevitably leaves.. like the whistle that blows.. I felt there was something more in this writing and one special passenger.. that someone who went back southbound.. leaving you again to wonder if you are being punished for wilder youthful ways possibly? Like the player who finally wants to settle down.. but gets played again and again.. it may not be meant this way.. but certainly could be related in those terms. A small dusty town.. larger paved roads in big cities can in fact be dirtier.. depends on where you are travelling in those cities! There is some wisdom embedded.. as well as the reality of life and loss.. I hope you find the answer through the arms of the right person some day.. don't give up!!! =)

[Sheila Kline]

The sound of a train whistle evokes so many thoughts....lonely in the night, so far away, and forlorn, or loudly blaring as it rolls into the station - it may be a happy time, or a sad time...but, the image is there with the train as it click clacks along on the track of life.
Your write is somewhat sad, and in reflecting about it, I want to think that it may hold hope for the new...that not all flows away from us as the train leaves town, but that it will return with newness!...that you are not being punished but prepared for a new station, as the old one comes down!
A wonderful, deep write!

[Joanna Maharis]

This is a very passionate piece. When reading this piece, I could feel the pain of the narrator, which makes this poem really very beautiful. I like the way you've established a powerful connection with your readers.
Some very nice work here. Impressive.

[closed account]

you paint a vivid picture in my head, some one sitting in a ghost town actually; dusty air the only sounds is the howling wind the color scenic view is orangey brown with a glow from the hot sun, a person questioning if his life has ended or maybe it hasn't begun!!! I really enjoyed this,,