The grumble of a distant train shakes
me from dreams,
metallic smell
of her crusted veins lingering
in the moist air like a coming threat
of thunder. Fumbling
for the bathroom
light i
find myself
staring at a mirror
turned back to sand,
a shoreline of grainy morning
shadows where
the loneliest word is written
and erased by creeping tides,
traced and non-existed
like the back-and-forth
of a crosshead whose engine
chafes
to be off down the tracks,
my breath like her whistle
steaming for what lies
around the next stretch
of coast.
the tenth muse 
Should mention the help I got from this site‘s glossary of steam locomotive terms. Thanks!
Most of us yearn to make those journeys and sometimes those dreams become reality. The image of the mirror becoming sand again is marvellous.. // Peter.
Thanks, Peter. The mirror/sand part is probably my favorite part as well. 🙂
“shadows where
the loneliest word is written”
What a stark picture painting here.
Sparingly and beautifully unravelled.
Thank you, Suzy.
this has a real nice feel to it…great imagery in the mirror turned back to sand as well…i like…love trains too…a great vehicle fora poem…and heading around that next bend…
so i will see you friday right? need to send an email for directions or where i am going…
Thanks, as always, brian. aren’t we all looking for that next stretch of coast? 🙂
yes to Friday night– email heading your way shortly. so looking forward to meeting you! (and at the same time nervous that THE brian of OneStop and dVerse fame is coming to grace our little poetry gathering– yikes!) 😉
Lovely. I don’t feel like this anymore, but remember well when I was younger and did! Beautifully written.
That sounds a little bit sad to me, Elizabeth. I saw this on a friend’s page just this morning:
‘…He looked across the table to me and smiled. “A person is not old until regrets take the place of dreams,” he said. I smiled too.’
I hope there are still some untried stretches of coast for you, and, if not, that the tracks you have already traveled have brought you to a place of contentment.
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing your kind thoughts.
Best,
–jsl
Would be nice to make one of those journies. A lot of it can be found in your words though, wonderfully done!
They do say good writing can transport you, I guess. 🙂 Gracias, Patt! 🙂
I have always wanted to just pack a bag, run, jump and ride…
I feel the wonder and melancholy in your words.. well done!!
Thanks! I’ve always had that itch as well… maybe some day…. 😉
This is gorgeous!
Thanks, ayala!
The train and the sea. Must be that one on California coast. It was astonishing to see such beauty umblemished by Miami- like “reach to the sky” sun bleached dominoes called condominiums.
You mean there is really a place where the train runs by the sea? and here I thought I had just conjured it up… will have to make that West Coast trip one of these days. 🙂
a shoreline of grainy morning
shadows where
the loneliest word is written
Loved this especially but the whole piece transported me – and great interview at Jingle! It’s always wonderful to find other scientist/poets about!
Anna, thank you. Glad you enjoyed this, and that you saw the interview over at Jingle. It was really a lot of fun to do but I didn’t think anyone really read it. 🙂 And yes, I think it’s all the science-y flavors to your poetry that draw me most about your own work. Like attracts like, I guess!
trains are so wonderful and your poetry really reflect an image so well done excellent penned \
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/10/11/the-day-of-the-dead/#comment-1682
the way you use physical objects to convey your emotions is outstanding.
charming style, Thanks for sharing!
Really enjoy your descriptive write on this one so true, waking up in a solitary life.
deep expressions…Thank you, I can just see us all standing in the mirror one at a time.
Very fine piece. I admire the spareness, the sharp imagery, the imagination. You don’t let elaboration get in between you and the reader. I enjoyed reading kt.
I admire the spare style. This poem displays imagination and compelling imagery. You don’t let unnecessary elaboration get in between your words and the reader. I enjoyed this.
cool metaphors as usual! 🙂 thanks for the visit!
I love all kind of transport, they all take you to new places … but trains have a special charm …
My breath likes indeed the whistle and your poem very much …