PRACTICE WHAT IT PREACHES

Today's poem appeared in an anthology of railway poems. I'd started it about fifteen years earlier but had put it to one side because it just wasn't working. Distance did grant perception though and I was able to make it work eventually.

LET THE TRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN

it is clear the train company worries about me

this is why they advised me [twice] to hold the handrail

at all times when I climb the station stairs

counselled that I must carry water on my journey

as this weekend’s weather will be unseasonably hot

and suggest should I feel unwell

then I must disembark at the next station

as this will make it easier for them to aid me

obviously they have heard that I forget things these days

and so repeatedly remind me

in these times of heightened tension

not to leave my luggage unattended

because if I do the security service may damage

or blow my case to smithereens just to be on the safe side

it is also pointed out that I should stand behind the yellow line

and let people exit the train before attempting to enter

and to mind the gap at all times

as I am now in the quiet carriage I must not play my music

talk on my phone or annoy the other passengers

it is a shame the railway company

does not practice what it preaches

It is a light piece. The announcements both at stations and on the train are faithful to what I heard over the speakers. 

Here's an old Pentangle album, the title song is about a steam train amongst other things.

Until next time.