August 2nd 2024
Delighted that Anna is sharing more of her lyrical writing on the blog. She has summed up what so many of us have felt and experienced. If you don't know it, do listen to the Radio 4 series Curious Under the Stars where she was one of the lead writers. You can find it on BBC Sounds.
Arrivals
They’re always the last off the train,
Whoever you’re going to meet.
You wonder if they even got on,
Or missed their connection.
Or lost their phone,
Or never got on,
Or got off at the wrong stop.
You wonder if they’ve changed
Since last you saw them.
The grandparent will say,
“Haven’t you grown?”
They will pinch your cheeks
With too much love,
Have too many bags with presents
That you’ve probably out-grown,
But you will be so pleased to see them.
And if a lover,
Will love still be there?
And if a stranger
That you’re welcoming,
Will you recognise them
From the picture?
The platform will be full of nerves
While you wait.
And they will be tired
And smell of train and wherever they’ve come from,
But when they see you,
And you see them,
You won’t be able to help but smile,
And you’ll help them with their bags,
And take them home
And give them tea
And show them their room,
Or if your child,
Even if grown,
You’ll have cooked their favourite dinner.
We all need someone to meet us from the train.
For when there is no-one,
It can be an empty thing.
So I will meet you from all trains,
My sweet beloved friend
And wait for the signals to say
Arrived.
TRAIN POEM
Redruth to London.
To be read to the rhythm of the train
Salt on Window
Fish on Station
Gorse on Sidings
Storm against Granite
Goodbye will see you soon
Ticket to City
Sleep to the Rhythm of-
Life in a Case
Sand Sticks to Soul
Grinds on City Pavements
Train to London
Dream of Bright Lights
Dream of Home.
Anna in her shed dreaming up stories. Photo Steve Tanner
Departures and Arrivals Riff.
Overheard conversations
Lovely to see you
Been a long time
Don’t leave it so long
Next time.
Hope your journey is ok
No delays
Not too crowded.
Let me know when you arrive.
She was so glad to see you.
She knew who you were,
But not your name,
Just your face,
Knew she loved you.
It might be the last time,
But maybe not,
As her heart is like a train engine.
I’m going shopping.
Up Plymouth,
Down Truro,
Better shops there.
I love a train journey.
You can stare out the window
Listen in
Clock out
See the towns you don’t live in
Imagine the lives of others.
I’m only gone for the day, Dad.
I’ll be back on the last train
Yes
I know where to get off,
I went with Granny that time,
We went Liskeard, then Looe.
She loves that line, Liskeard to Looe,
She met Grandad,
He was a conductor,
She’d lost her ticket,
And the rest is history.
I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that train.
They’ve only got crisps on the trolley,
Good job I’ve got sandwiches.
I hate goodbyes,
Never know what to say.
Hello? Hello?
Mum?
Yes I can’t hear you,
The tannoy’s on,
Something about no trolley till Totnes.
Yes. We’re safely on.
I’m in the quiet carriage.
Better go out in the corridor.
There’s a man in our carriage.
I’ve seen him everyday on the way to work.
I think he just travels on the trains mostly.
Think he was up St. Lawrence's.
He’s always got cheese sandwiches.
He offered me one once,
But I had me own.
Anna’s Memories
I remember the time there was a hold up at Bodmin Parkway.
Then there was that parrot on the platform that kept shouting
“Come in Geraldine”.
Our dad used to pick up my brother and me from there,
When it was his turn to have us.
Sometimes he was late,
And those old carriages over the track had a door open,
So we got on,
Pretended we were posh,
First class.
Sean got in a luggage rack,
And I made the train noises.
Then our dad came in his old car,
And the parrot was still shouting
“Come in Geraldine”
My brother always cried when our dad
Put us back on the train,
So I pretended to be the parrot
To make him laugh.
And our mum met us at Penzance
With chocolate biscuits.
Anna and I will be collaborating more over the next few months; branchlines here we come!
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