A Wartime Journey

 

With no warning the train drew to a halt

only a few miles outside of Birmingham

It was dark with the blinds drawn

the compartment was dimly lit

The guard came along the corridor 

¨An Air Raid, Ladies and Gentlemen

please don´t tamper with the blinds ¨

It was late, fast approaching midnight

we sat in subdued and expectant silence

In the distance a rumbling sound began

increasing in intensity and volume

¨Birmingham is getting it tonight ¨

a fellow passenger said, lowering his newspaper

Detonations one after another for several hours

Then an eerie silence as the train lurched forward.

At New Street Station people were about

anxious faces greeted us as we alighted

An orange glow hovered above the city skyline

a burst water main spewed forth

We headed for home in the blackout.

It was cold and we were hungry