Sleepy Whistle

Sleepy whistle drifts away.

Now hear the clickity clack of the swaying train.

Meandering smoke trails behind,

 

as black on black outlines the night.

 

My bobbing head gives way to rest.

 

an icy pillow chills my head,

 

leaning on the window seat,

 

and the clickity clack consumes my dreams.

A baby’s cry redirects my sight, but weighted lids

 

reclaim the night.

Whispering lovers sweeten my rest

 

As the clickity clack of the rails do the rest.

Wheww! Wheww!

 

Author's Note

yes or no to the hidden words?

Reviews

[AJNJ]

The train chugs along, lulling one to sleep... This poem stands out for me as I loved traveling on trains as a kid and the plethora of things happening on board. I'd never tire of taking everything in and yes I slept like a log! Loved the clickity clack. Thank you for bringing back such sweet memories, Ms. Cherrie!

[Kent Rawski]

Yes to the hidden words but have some whispery smoke coming after them. Your title really summed up your poem and some it was a beautiful ride. Oh I also love a chill pillow

[Cherrie Palmer]

I liked the whistle sound typed in a pale grey. I tried this once before 'Hidden' another poem with shadowed words. I kinda like the notion and will play with the idea again.

[Einstein Noodle]

it is a lullaby hard to resist .. the rocking to and fro and distant loon calls of the whistle ..(very loud if close at hand) ;)) .. I read Richards poem dedicated to you Cherrie! ;) of course had to come and read yours from which he took inspiration ... like i said to him .. i am inspired to take a week long train ride ... just for fun .. out and back .. now i am doubly inspired .. may even look into it today ;) best of the day to ya!
E.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes, there is something magical about a train, whether or not you are on board or watching it pass. Matt and I have taken a scenic day trip a few times, I am a fan of train travel. :) I checked into a week long ride once and the price was frightening. lol

[Einstein Noodle]

now i really do have to check it out ... i suppose now that i think on it ..its like a week of restaurants and hotel rooms isn't it?! :)

[Cherrie Palmer]

yes, that is the only way to think of it, but what a great canvas to write from.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I have to agree with you Richard's poem calls for a ticket.

[Einstein Noodle]

i am so glad we met ... right here at the Cafe' ... ;)

[Cherrie Palmer]

I am too, :)

[barleygirl]

About final words in gray . . . I could not imagine it "quiet" (which gray implies) . . . train whistles seem to be blasting loud, so the subtle treatment might be a little incongruous for me! Your poem made me long for train-travel to be viable always. Nobody should miss the experience of taking a long train ride, which you've brought to life for all the senses. It's hard to imagine that train travel (as we knew it) will someday be obsolete like stagecoaches! Your poem puts us into a reverie! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Cherrie Palmer]

I left that line grey, kinda like the passing of the train and or poem with all its sounds and images. The parting treat of the passing train was the whistle.

[Levi Levin]

A relaxing and romantic write. Great work!

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you:) I really enjoyed writing this one.

[light and ashes]

Laying here reading because I woke up earlier than I wanted to. This is a perfect read for me.
I absolutely love it.

[Cherrie Palmer]

:) thank you I'm thrilled you l enjoyed this early morning find.

[light and ashes]

You are welcome!

[Tate Morgan]

You have touched on one of my favorite memories. I rode a train to southern ohio as a child. I the clickity clack was the greatest sound ever. Love ya

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes, I love the sound and feel of a train, I am so glad to stir such a wonderful memory.

[Andrew Nelson Stewart]

The very solace and comfort one finds within the confines of traveling inside of trains. Something about the railroads gives off aestheticism. Yet looking out the windows you find rarity in the views passing you by at the speed of a bullet. Loved the line " an icy pillow chills my head, leaning on the window seat." The details are very on point of painting an image in the reader's mind. Enjoyable read I felt very nostalgic while reading your fine art. Keep writing sincerely your friend in poetry and life.

[Cherrie Palmer]

thank you Andrew, I'm glad you enjoyed this simple little offering.

[Paul Bell]

Still something great about trains.
You can have every possible scenario going on around you, your imagination can run wild with the faces, and you can just drift away into another world if you want to.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes, I agree. There is something magical about a train ride.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared dear Cherrie. I like the sound of trains and the noises of the night. Sort of create a strange peace. I liked your flow of thoughts leading to the proper ending. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry. I did like this one.
Coyote

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you, I am a fan of train travel as well. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

The trains are cool. Mean, we are escaping or going home. You are welcome dear Cherrie.