DOWN NEAR THE RAILWAY LINE

[Maureen K Clifford]

An old one of mine that I rediscovered - tarted it up a bit and thought I would give it a rerun - it is by the way a true story.

DOWN NEAR THE RAILWAY LINE ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet


It was early Tuesday morning and I was out early, walking
on my own, through streets of Ipswich, where I lived so long ago.
There was mist upon the river and a cool breeze made me shiver
and the sun had not yet risen ..It was beautiful I know.
The wet streets were still deserted and that fact suited my purpose
for I like to take my dogs where other people do not go.
My old girl, sweet Miss Molly, an ancient Border Collie,
doesn't have the sweetest temperament with those she doesn't know.

So with my two dogs leading, one could think it quite misleading
when I say I'm taking them for walks, when these two lead the way
so eager and so chirpy for they love walks at five thirty,
and I think that they'd both go walking even on a snowy day.
As I passed beneath the train line, I observed two blokes with red wine
clutched in crumpled paper bags that they held tightly in their hands.
And I felt a fearsome tremor, as a part of me remembered
that a murder was committed on these streets by roving bands..

So I gave the 'heel ' command , which my two would do on demand
and like silent shadows both of them stayed firmly at my side,
as with demeanor bright and breezy, though my breath a trifle wheezy
I continued walking up the street with firm purposeful stride.
The two men both stopped before me, far removed from former glory
for they were unkempt and dirty, no doubt living on the streets.
But their faces told the story ... these were two good blokes before me,
who had fallen onto times much harder than most folks would meet.

Two aged faces lit with smiles that would illuminate for miles,
as they called out to the doggies that they didn't even know,
and my old girl, my sweet Molly showed demeanor somewhat jolly
as she stood there to be patted long tail swinging to and fro;
whilst Miss Elly who's a cutie, pranced around to show her beauty
and did her little dance and begged, the only tricks she knows.
These two old blokes were enraptured, seems their hearts my dogs had captured.
Until at last I had to say 'twas time for us to go.

Their goodbyes were most effusive and there was nothing abusive
as I had feared when I first saw them near the railway line.
Now they both looked kind of cheery, called out 'see you later dearie'
as they shambled off in directions quite opposite to mine.
And I knows I got to thinking, of the old men one sees drinking
in the parks, and the bus shelters, for they're everywhere you go.
Was there once a vision splendid, and was love their way extended?
Did they choose the life they live now? I doubt none of us will know.

But today I saw a glimmer; from two men some would call sinners,
there was happiness and something else I saw on faces there,
and I found it quite endearing, as if through lace curtains peering
I’d seen two old blokes with nothing much, who still had heart to care.
So the next time we go walking in the early hours of morning,
we might wander down that street again that's near the railway line
and if perchance we see them, well I'll have no cause to fear them
and perhaps they'll give the girls a pat... They'll think that mighty fine.

[Terry]

Some good bouncy lines there Maureen - I liked it.

I'm also grateful that at last another poems been posted here,
that one of mine has been there since March 23.
I only brought it back to life to tell about the passing of the lady the poem was about,
hoping it would soon disappear from sight again as it's still and active poem.

Sign of the times it seems.

Cheers

Terry

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thank you Terry - pleased you liked it with all its bounce

[Shelley Hansen]

Great message Maureen - and a lesson to us all not to be deceived by outward appearances!

Hey, Terry - about the lack of members' poetry, since your above comment to Maureen, I was prompted by your "Lady of the Lakes" to post my "Piano Man" and it's still on the active list at the moment. A little earlier I posted "Opening Day 1887" - but as you haven't commented on either of them, I guess I have to assume they passed you by (or you didn't like them, perhaps?)

Would love your feedback

Cheers
Shelley