Poetry Memories of Childhood and Trains

When I hear the distant whistle of a trainI am reminded today’s machinesDiffer from those of my childhood so long ago.Passenger coaches whizzing by, clickety clackOn the railroads tracks.Today, in this time and space,Passenger cars are going by the waysideOnly a few remain…Now, mainly cargo carriers roll down the rails,Making their presence known at railroad crossingsA whistle, signs, crossbars in yellow or white,Forcing motorists to stop, wait for roaring trains,Forcing me to wait, recallMy childhood of long ago daysMy mother choosing to take me on a train ride, clickety, clickety,All the way to the Twin Cities, andA special visit to Gramma’s place.I remember; thankful for time, experiences, precious memoriesI remember...and smile.By Carolyn R Scheidies