The humble Station that I can see,
Bares the insipid face of Modernity,
For the larger Town or City may,
Have Victorian flair to its display.
But here in Village or lonely Halt,
The Designer’s Craft is much at fault,
A ‘Prefab’ Box in all but name,
And metal seats complete the shame.
But in the grand old days of steam,
As a Poets eye had often seen,
Were Stations built in Grandiose Style,
Along the Veins of the British Isle.
‘Mock-Tudor’ built astride the line,
With adornments of a bygone time,
When across the Platform Porters fly,
Their loaded barrows rumbled by.
And ; keeping vigil down the Rail,
For the Whistles-howl and the Morning Mail.
To the ‘Waiting Room’ a traveler’s rest,
As ‘Vintage’ Posters do suggest,
‘See Britain By Train’ a short invite,
Art Deco scenes of radiant light.
All works of art, a bright display,
Of the ‘Yorkshire Dales’ or ‘Whitley Bay’.
And Station Master watch in hand,
Surveys his lot, Prepared And Manned.
For here’s the Engine spouting steam,
A Thundercloud upon the scene.
So; nothing is left from those Romantic days,
A time of Elegant,travelling ways.
A time when Rolling Country-Wide,
Was joy itself when Steam applied.
For the ‘Golden Age As often classed ,
Were days of Grace now sadly passed.
But as for Modern Stations as per se,
I’m sure ‘Sir John’ would have his say.
-
Author:
Kevin Hulme (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: February 28th, 2025 20:00
- Comment from author about the poem: I love the Railway Stations of the past and Remember some of the Old ones when I was a Child with a Waiting Room ( Some Ladies Only) and I think a Fireplace. Also those Posters advertising destinations throughout Britain and Abroad, were works of Art. And this was just a Small ‘Branch line’. Now they are just Plastic Box’s, No style or character. The ‘Sir John’ mentioned is Sir John Betjeman ,Who was a Railway Enthusiast and wrote a lot about Stations and Trains ,when not upsetting the good folk of Slough. There is a Statue of him at St Pancras Station. Forgive the Pun in the Title.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 7
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett
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Comments2
A lovely write in rhyme and good meter I think it is the nostalgia of the piece that made it a fave. I too remember the old steam trains in South America that would traverse the countryside. The hustle and bustle of getting a seat for the hours long ride. Miss those days.
Yes Nostalgia is the Word.
It’s when you watch an Old film and you see the Stations and the Trains and it brings back Childhood memories. Thank you for Reading.
Pity many of them have been torn down, run down, abandoned and replaced. 🙏🏻🕊
Thank you. There are some wonderful Victorian Stations in the Cities, some of modern design; but its those ones in small towns which is just a plastic box . Sad.
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