Just past sunset at Romilly sur Seine
a wheeltapper came to check our train
I watched him, hunched
while the evening rang
as he merged with the shadows far below.
with the tiny chimes
his hammer rang true
in the gathering time the darkness grew
'til beneath me I heard his breath
and slid the window tight across
against the night as the cold crept in
and the sunset bled at Romilly sur Seine.
Dark and ominous, Ray. This is a very good poem, beautifully crafted. Reminded me of two novels, funnily enough ... Zola's La Bete Humaine, about an engine driver, and Tolstory's Anna Karenina
<Deleted User> (13762)
Thu 23rd Jun 2016 23:09
great shadowy images on every line - your wheeltapper reminds me of the blacksmith - his hammer ringing with every blow - his forge a dark and mysterious world.
Love this.
he also reminds me of the wheeltappers and shunters social club! - remember that seventies gem?
Colin
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raypool
Fri 24th Jun 2016 21:51
Colin, thank you for your comments, I think the experience was quite mysterious and me only eighteen at the time - two steam engines up front. I well remember the TV show -Colin Crompton as I recall. Days gone...
Greg, very kind and flattering. Believe it or not, I did read the Zola novel years ago and have been trying to find a copy to re read to no avail. It was made into a film - drivers with goggles! I did read the Tolstoy massive tome - not a happy ending to that!
Many thanks . Ray