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“I’m running away from home
you can't stop me”
And so began my journey.
lucky for me
tracks ran right through our town
lucky for me
tracks ran right through our town
every day ... three freights ... one passenger
I counted 'em!
{ same tracks where my school chum
vernon higgins died ... he was only eight }
I think about him now
as i grab hold, jump aboard
no mean feat for a nine-year old
let me tell you
I have a plan
figure three weeks
is plenty long enough
for them to come
to their senses
First... I was absorbed into the photo for quite a while. I will have to check out the sight. Second... 8? Dear God, how tragic.
ReplyDeleteAnd your poem... just love it, especially the cheeky last stanza. Yes, you have always been a spitfire ;)
This is really tragic ... a haunting memory indeed !!!
ReplyDeleteHa, Helen,I must have been one of the few kids who never plotted to run away. I enjoyed this though, as it rang so true to what children would say....and yes, three weeks would certainly be enough. (That must have been awful to lose your friend on the train tracks....)
ReplyDeleteOh, that would be awful to lose a friend that way, that young. The rest was such fin though. Running away is always fun to plot, even as an adult...LOL
ReplyDeleteMade me remember when I told my mom I was running away when I was eight and she said "wait, and I'll go with you!" Hee hee. Pretty scary thinking of such young children around the tracks, and the little boy dying so young.
ReplyDeleteoh my... a nine year old....jumping a train...that is crazy....we were a few years older when we jumped one....its a beast to get off of...just a few weeks...hope that worked out as i would be afraid of what the kid might find out there...
ReplyDelete.. good thing it's all make believe (except for the my friend Vernon part)
Deletetragic for Vernon yes, that runaway thing we all thought about, wonder would that work today how long before they come to their senses.... :)
ReplyDeleteSad about the boy, but I really like the bluesy feel to this.
ReplyDeleteHi, Helen, I was happy to see the note you left at my blog. Love the poem as it summons so many emotions. It does feel bluesy, as if it could be set to music. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHelen, first I am always happy to come to your site to see those beautiful iron horses at the top of your blog. And I guess this poem is about catching another kind of iron horse. Your poem captured me and held my interest throughout with additions of information.
ReplyDeleteSuch a compelling mix of childish memory, hope and playfulness, plus great sadness. Irresistable.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for your friend and what his family went through.
ReplyDeleteAs a child it felt so important. As a parent is so terrifying
ReplyDeleteMoving and evocative and perfectly sustained in its tone. What a memorable work this is! Beautifully composed and presented!
ReplyDeleteWell done Helen!! Perfectly channeled that childhood sense of fear/adventure and rationale...:-)
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