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!

[Cherrie Palmer]

I missed your wonderful review and I'm sorry. Thank you so much for the review.

[T.S. Ulmus]

Many great turns of phrase, I don't know for riding a train but you brought me there. It's great when a poem can truly impart an experience.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I am so glad you enjoyed this and was able to come along with me.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Cherrie... two of my uncles were railroad men.
My mother would take me from Union Station in Washington, D.C.
to visit her family in Delaware. They were steam powered locomotive engines.
Much more nostalgic than the Modern Amtrak. Your poem brings back so
many memories. My mind is enriched with the feelings that still linger
in my mind. tenderly, Pat

[Cherrie Palmer]

When I was a girl my friends little sister said she was going to marry the man in the caboose. He always waved at her. I still smile remembering Cindy. The fact that it was always different people waving never occurred to her 5 year old self.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I used to ride the Illinois Central from Carbondale to Homewood when I was a freshman and sophomore at SIU...

I found it so easy to sleep to the rhythm of the train...the sound of the wheels on the tracks...
the going home...such a peaceful, easy feeling...

you took me back to the sixties with this one...
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes, travel by train is enchanting I wish everyone could experience it. It slows down the day and opens the inagination. I would like to take my laptop and write on the train.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I edited this and hide some shadowed words in it tell me if it works?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am for the original version....I think we can add those effects on our own as we read between the lines.
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I agree, thank you . I removed them all but the last whistle.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh I do like that last whistle....yes....
yes...yes....

[Cherrie Palmer]

I have been wanting to write a poem with hidden words, that may be next.

[Chris Shaw]

I have always loved the clickety clack of rail and track, so I appreciated the onomatopoeia of this rail journey. I do miss going on trains. Haven't travelled to our west coast by train for over a year now because of the virus. Thank you Cherrie for reminding me of many a pleasant journey and the other passengers that travel with you.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

Somehow I knew you would enjoy and relate to this journey

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A nicely soporific piece with onomatopoeia and description that allows the reader to come right inside that room with you Cherrie.

[Cherrie Palmer]

thank you John :)
certain places are meant for sleep and a boat or a train are two of my favorite. A distant thunder storm may be my favorite.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes trains are good, I always fall asleep on them!

[Cherrie Palmer]

I always wanted to travel on the Orient Express, but I guess I will be happy the Ark. an Mo. Railroad :)