Pausing in Amherst

“Next stop,

          Amherst!”

 

I think briefly

of stepping off the train

to breathe her air

and ponder

the grey clouds

that have gathered

 

Would I then be

          inspired?

 

Suddenly

we are rolling

along the tracks

again

 

as the clouds

break

Author's Note

On the train heading to Vermont, there was a brief stop in Amherst, MA. Just wondered if there is something in the air...

Reviews

[Frieda P]

What a sweet moment in time, I hope you took a deep breath whilst there Rita, you never know if that same creative air isn't lingering there.

[Rita L. Sev]

Wish I could have opened the windows... ;) Thanks, Frieda!

[Matching Socks]

Breathe of fresh air. :-)
Sometimes visiting and pausing in new places triggers that moment of reflection, where we've been and where we're headed, what we'll find there.
Really enjoyed this one Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Every place can give so much, if we are open to receiving... Thank you, Ance!

[Einstein Noodle]

for some reason i placed Amherst across the pond ..
marvelous moment .. enjoyed this experience very much this morning ... can hear the clickety clack fo the train along the tracks .. a few other people on the train ignominious strangers .. and the poetess peering out the window ..wondering .. you gave it all to me!
and i like the form you chose .. my cup of tea!
E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, E - I love that you "got" this scene. My mother was with me, but she was deep into a novel and I was grateful for that moment to connect with that little slice of geography... Not my usual form, but I'm glad it worked for you. :)

[Sheila Kline]

We wait for that perfect moment, or place to inspire us and there are those times when we let the opportunity slip by.......looking back it really was the right time and place.
It seems as if you would like to go back to Amherst, MA and capture it again........

[Rita L. Sev]

To visit the place where Emily Dickinson lived is now a goal, after that brief train stop in her town... Thank you, Sheila!

[h d e rushin]

I do wonder what Ms. Dickinson's inspirations were. Air, nature, the energy of things or that
great loop of the nebulosity of everything? I think I would be inspired by it, more so than
Mellville's tomb that so inspired Crane.

I love the imgages of this poem as well as the many possibilities...dana

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Dana - yes, just to be in a place where such genius once wrote makes me wonder...

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Well I think the lesson I take from this is that we must take our opportunities when they arrive cause they will quickly become a missed opportunity before you know it.

[Rita L. Sev]

That is so true, Dale - though I really had no chance of stepping off that train and getting back on in time... just a fleeting moment... *sigh*

[Sami Khalil]

I was transported unto the train. I have felt the worries of the poet...Excellent...:)..............

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Sami...

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)......................

[jacob erin-cilberto]

something like the scent of Emily...I was once driving up to Vermont with my ex-wife and we saw a sign, Amherst, 19 miles...unfortunately didn't have time to make the stop--but should have anyway.
this brings back those feelings of regret for not stopping.
beautifully written, Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

There was really no time to get off the train; it was such a brief stop. But I stared out that window, taking it in... Someday, that will have to be the destination. Thank you, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

for me also...