©2023 michael raven
stone walls empty and a train forlorn lover's low & sighs for the memories of children waving straddled shapes as rusted wheel turn & roll down the lonely tracks once more
old man, engine
words | spirit
words | spirit
©2023 michael raven
stone walls empty and a train forlorn lover's low & sighs for the memories of children waving straddled shapes as rusted wheel turn & roll down the lonely tracks once more
sceadugenga 
Such a nostalgic poem, Michael…🙏 I always lived near train tracks until we moved eight years ago to a place where all the tracks were taken out decades ago. I miss the lonely sound of a train whistle more than I could ever have imagined…
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I’m still amazed at just how much difference the weather can make in how close it sounds. Ours is about 2 miles away and, yet, it sounds like it is just a few blocks away some days. Always lonely, no matter the weather.
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Oh I remember that… sounding like it was so much close than it was…if there’s a heaven, I hope you can hear trains there 🙂
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The weather certainly makes a difference. We are about 500 yards from a freight line (which runs about two trains a day) – some days you wouldn’t know, other are like it’s in the back yard!
Gotta keep on rolling, no matter what. Great piece.
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Thank you! Yeah, I assume it has something to do with humidity, but I haven’t seen that confirmed anyplace — it’s just an assumption on my part based on too much science in my head.
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Not much of a scientist myself, so I’ll go with your logic.
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Thought-provoking poem, Michael. Trains evoke great symbolism and stories.
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Thank you for saying so.
Very true. What surprises me is the number of images in my own head of those old fashioned steam locomotives rolling into a frontier town.
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You are welcome. A few years ago, the ‘Big Boy’ steam engine rolled through AZ. Very cool! 🚂
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Very 😮
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Yes!
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Superbly evoked
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Thanks!
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I always have some kind of longing when I see a train…a wistfulness mixed with sadness. Your poem captured it beautifully.
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Thanks 🙂
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