A piece of doggerel. May I have a poetic answer, please

Question

Just been over to Birmingham

On the half past eight slow train.

Free to me and my dear one

As pensioners, now we gain.

We had to sit facing backwards

(It always feels wrong to me.

I can't see where I'm going

Only where I have been)

Though,

It's fascinating looking into

The back of people's houses

Getting past their facade -

Their street-side normal faces.

Some have bright geraniums

Standing to attention in neat rows

Some like the local tip

Piled high with.... heaven knows.

Unfortunately, some of these

Are sitting cheek by jowl.

Uncomfortable companions

Producing fisticuffs and scowls!

Some are sweet and cottagey

Overflowing with multi-flowers

Some with cabbages and carrots

Peas and bean-pole towers.

The whole of British society

Is open to my nosey view.

When you take a train journey

What's waiting there for you?

Answer 1

The only time I take the train

is to the City in the rain

there, waiting for me at the end

is a dear and faithful friend

together we engage the crowd

my Island is always much less loud

we shop, we talk, we have a snack

but I am glad to have come back.

(Will a rhyming answer do)?

Answer 2

A journey I took to go out west,

Not just to get there

But to grow up and be my best.

I sat pondering for five days in a chair

Not at all comfortable enough

For sleep, but I did not care.

The ride was smooth, bumpy, and rough

And left behind my childhood haze.

I pulled myself together and pretended I was tough.

For now I had to grow up and mend all my ways,

Even if it was going to take forever.

It would at least be a whole nother day.

When I finally got to Vegas I said I'd never, ever

ride a train cross country again (without a sleeper).

(I know that's a little rough, but I just spewed it out.)

When I was seventeen I hopped on an Amtrax train and went out to Las Vegas. I had a big ole suitcase, a shot gun, a rifle, and a pistol. Think they'd allow me to carry that stuff on board today.

Man that brought back some memories--thank you Grannyjill.

Answer 3

fascinating how

that Birmingham ride of yours

backwards sliced facades

Answer 4

I felt I was on that journey with you, I really like discriptive poetry.

Well done.

Answer 5

The only train I was ever on

was the kiddie one at the zoo

It didn't go fast

but went 'round back

of the monkey house...

Talk about a view!!

Answer 6

I have not been on a train since China, 30 years ago.

Answer 7

Although a train ride is nice with a veiw

I rather take a plane ride

If its all right with you

Sorry

maybe I would consider a short train ride  with a sleeper

but being so confined for a long time makes me into a weeper

There you go the best I could do!! Cheers

Answer 8

Yes, I remember...reading about trains,

Edward Thomas' Adlestrop.

The poem stops at a station,

And memories come back

Slowly.

Because the locomotive

Of the thoughts

Cannot go fast.

Jessop, Trevithick, Blenkinsop,

Pioneers of the British railway,

Precursors of modernity.

And of industrial revolutions.

The revolution has grown old

Allowing us to look at life,

And at ourselves.

Sometimes it goes through

A tunnel,

Darkening daylight,

Or stops at a station

Where all is quiet

Dusty,

And sad.  

Answer 9

Next stop Coventry

Only trains that we have here

Are never normally late

Passengers are very rare

In boarding I'm a freight

Box cars stacked up in a row

Engine number 9

Always carrying on a load

'bout simply towing the line

Make Thomas T look like a wimp

(And not the least attractive)

But let's not build a head of steam

All trains look great when active

Lucky you to board a train

Admire the passing show

Sit back, relax, enjoy the trip

The fast-track way to go

Answer 10

So, this is what happens when a nosey neighbor boards the train?  lol  Amazing the perspective from another seat isn't it?  A nicely done, reflective piece on trivial, yet by itself fascinating. It also flows well. Next time you need to ride on top to look down! lol    My compliments.

Answer 11

Poetic Answer

On my journeys,

scenery fades,

delving into the notebook,

or at least to those

closest to me.

My eyes miss much,

but my soul seems

to reach out to everything.

Answer 12

Poetic Answer:

The train I take to Birmingham,

Runs only in the dark.

I do not see within the yards,

Or people in the park.

I check in for the evening train,

And then I wait a while.

I find myself bored plumb to tears,

While staring at this tile.

When I then mount the train to go,

It still just sits and sits.

I watch the young girl next to me,

As she keeps popping zits.

And now we're off at breakneck speed,

Soon we're well on our way.

And now I feel we may get there,

Within a least a day.

Five hour trip to Birmingham,

It took up half the night.

Next time I'll drive it in just two,

And do it when it's light.

Altlanta to Birmingham is a 2 hour ride by car, 5 hours by train because of all the delays.  Perhaps now with the price of fuel going crazy, they will go back to more passenger trains.  I really did enjoy riding them as a child, but they are very scarce now.  I envy you your ability to ride them where you are and be able to be nosey with strangers.

Answer 13

like peas and ham

and boiled brawn

your poetry

just makes me yawn.

Answer 14

I LIKED that! It's like an adult version of Dr. Seuss( I do hope you'll understand that to be a compliment ).

After a few lines I was able to render it in my mind's eye, and with the last question it made a fine little stress reliever. I've been meaning to take a closer view at things, and your doggerel gave me a wonderful excuse to go ride the train to nowhere.

Answer 15

Last fall my little car and me

took the Auto Train To D.C.

then drove and looked to see

at all the states, Northeast.

The Auto train in such fun, you get a great passenger train ride, with 2 excellent meals, a movie, snacks, free coffee, comfy seats...leaves Florida mid afternoon, you're in D.C. by 8 am.  Your auto is spared mileage and wear and tear.   A very civilised way to travel.

Answer 16

I love the ride the rails

Often my life does demand it

Love heading to New York

Courtesy of NJ Transit

15 minutes and I'm there

Stepping in a sea of pardons

Strolling down 6th Avenue

Past Madison Square Garden

Answer 17

"Hi!",

My husbands Nan was living at Birmingham until late last year. He went to Birmingham in 1997. I have seen pictures but that is as close as I have gotton to go there.

FREE train ride. Well pensionwes are not that lucky here. But you do pay like quarter fare.

Very insightful poem with humor as all ways.

WELL DONE!

Cheers : )