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The Ghost of Mayfield Station

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Calling out the same name
Over and over
The sound varies constantly
Before cutting out
Like a chewed up tape

Echoing with a sadness
Bordering on the verge
Of a panic
Almost like they are
Pleading for forgiveness

Dismembered
In a broken sadness
Skipping through
All kinds of turmoil
Of a love clearly died

Left on the platform
No matter
Whether cold or warm

Bordered up
For who knows
How long
Waiting for the
Last train home.

 

(According to wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Mayfield_railway_station Manchester Mayfield is a former railway station in Manchester, England. It is located on the south side of Fairfield Street, next to Manchester Piccadilly station. Opened in 1910, Mayfield was constructed as four-platform relief station adjacent to Piccadilly to alleviate overcrowding. In 1960, the station was closed to passengers and in 1986 it was permanently closed to all services.
After years of abandonment and many proposed development schemes, the station roof was dismantled in February 2013. The site was used for Manchester International Festival in July 2013. Planning permission was granted for conversion of the station to an entertainment venue in November 2013.)

 

◄ Late night bus from Bolton

poems-for-national-psoriais-awarness week ►

Comments

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M.C. Newberry

Thu 29th Oct 2015 16:44

I have a weakness for lost times, lost buildings and the like
and this account is a welcome addition to those interests.
An ardent train-spotter on the London-Bath-Bristol GWR
main line, I had/have only a passing acquaintance of
other railways regions and their histories - but those who
know about such things are all brothers(sisters) under the
skin. It would be lovely if the proposed development on
the site retained the name "Mayfield Station" - perfect in
my view for an entertainment venue.

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Martin Elder

Wed 28th Oct 2015 22:02

A lovely piece Andy. There is also a youtube video of this station . where somebody has I think gone round it with a camcorder. With looking at it certainly gives you a kind of eerie feeling.
I love the piece about the last train home to round it off.

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raypool

Wed 28th Oct 2015 21:41

Right up my street Andy. I've always been fixated by closed buildings especially railways ones. Your poem resonated well with the subject and the supernatural overtones suit it perfectly. It reminds me of those dreams where one is lost.
Incidentally I have a great book full of lost railway architecture which includes several Manchester stations but not this one unfortunately. It's called "Britain's lost Railways" by John Minnis published by Aurum.
Irresistible. regards, Ray

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