Oh yes, John. I know I've said it before , but the stations on that axed East Devon line - Tipton St Johns, Newton Poppleford, Ottery St Mary, East Budleigh (change for Otterton and Ladram Bay), and Budleigh Salterton, were like a Betjeman poem.
Comment is about The end of the line (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks for your thoughts, MC, and for mentioning Marples as well, the other villain in this episode. It should be added that the closures were mostly implemented by the subsequent Wilson Labour government. Railway enthusiasts out there might consider delving into my 2015 poetry pamphlet Trainspotters, still available from Amazon, or from me https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trainspotters-Greg-Freeman/dp/1909357642. And Marples Must Go! is the title poem in my current collection https://www.dempseyandwindle.com/gregfreeman.html
Comment is about The end of the line (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
“Chorlton-cum-Hardy or Chester le Street” incomparably poetic.
Even Selby gets a mention,
Comment is about The end of the line (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks John, I appreciate your response to the verse.
tc
Comment is about Waiting for our Mum (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Beeching and Marples: the remover of so many rail lines and
instigator of so many motorways (unsurprising I suppose for
one with his business interests!). There was a widespread blight on much of what was, in post-war years, considered
to be outdated, and this lack of foresight presided
over the loss of much - now regretted, and with good
reason! Would anyone now dare propose demolishing
the London residence of Charles Dickens at the top of Marylebone High Street W1, its business replacement now marked with a large mural reminding us of what used to be
there? Like some ornate memorial for what someone in
their "brave new world" authority sentenced to its doom.
Comment is about The end of the line (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thanks for the comments, Keith and Ray, and for the Likes, Nigel, Branwell, Julie, Ghazala, Holden and Moonlight. The station in the picture is where we spent our early 60s camping coach holidays - holidays that I could never forget. You can just see the coach in the far distance of the photograph. And just look at that lovely station canopy!
Comment is about The end of the line (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Beautiful timeless poetry with a strong spiritual pulse. Lovely, Ghazala. 😂
Comment is about Feelings (blog)
Original item by Ghazala lari
Shadows are the darkest reflection of ourselves....it shows that we are made of light and darkness both....which we let Excell is all that matters😀
Comment is about Diamond Moon (blog)
Original item by Grant Aspinall
Old gives way to new
But roots remain the same
If foundation is strong
Nothing can kill the remaining
I like nature poems. Profound and deep.💕
Comment is about a winter haiku (blog)
Original item by Lauren Em
John got married to a bankrupt's daughter
He purchased her for few cars, home and cash
She was lucky to have him, so was her father
Can this luck turn is favour of a brother? Or is it only a woman's luck order😂
Comment is about Congratulations (blog)
Original item by branwell kent
Many thanks, Stephen!
Comment is about Phantom Florida Winter (blog)
Original item by Candice Reineke
At peace within yourself
each dream to another
bringing love to stay
inside each word written.
Comment is about Untitled (blog)
Original item by Moonlight
Jump on
don't ever
get off
laughter and tears
forge a path
life will travel.
Comment is about 102. Poem (blog)
Original item by Moonlight
Such a good metaphor Greg. Really the whole thing is a love affair and like so much of our country was sold off at scrap value, particularly the land the railways utilized. If you go before me i'll listen for that celestial whistle!
Ray
Comment is about The end of the line (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Tue 25th Jan 2022 21:29
I like your comparison of a Cemetery to a Library.
Holding records of the past and past lives.
Excellent!
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Superb Adam. I am in awe at your manipulation of metaphor. The actions you prescribe are true and necessary but I fear we are likely to take the opposite path!
Comment is about Begin Halfway, End Up At The Start (blog)
Original item by Adam Whitworth
I remember this wanton act which deprived vast tracts of the country from their only means of public transport. Similarly so with the departure of trams which are now being reinstated. Since world war two this nation has been mismanaged by myopic fools. I used to go to school on a train every day. Now children are on local buses and frequently caught in traffic jams. Flanders and Swan can play at my funeral also.
Thanks for this. All change!
Keith
Comment is about The end of the line (blog)
Original item by Greg Freeman
It's really touching John. I remember a Spanish teacher talking about Andalusia as if it were the most beautiful place in the world. I saw a documentary about Cordoba. Maybe it is!
The John Prine song is nice. I only knew Angel from Montgomery, from the movie Into the Wild. That movie changed my life, for the better.
I think a lot of humans would be happier reading poetry, don't you think? Why be in distress 24/7 if there are so many days ahead of us?
I am moved to tears
Comment is about A Sufi Saint contemplates his imminent dissolution (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Yet there is hope. Because you are not silent there is hope. Because you care there is hope. Because you suffer for others there is hope. That is compassion. Thank you
Comment is about The Divided Nations (blog)
Original item by Your Royal Poetess
very nice erotic poetry. touching, literally
Comment is about Crystal (blog)
Original item by Your Royal Poetess
Thank you for liking all my poetry and leaving a message on my profile. Also good to be catching up with you again Charlotte. It's my pleasure
Comment is about Your Royal Poetess (poet profile)
Original item by Your Royal Poetess
I like this, Grant - apart from the, I think accidental, repetition.
Comment is about Diamond Moon (blog)
Original item by Grant Aspinall
I am not yet follically challenged, MC.
Comment is about ON A WINNER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
Many thanks for all you likers (too many to name if you don't mind).
Thank you Graham. I was trying to paint in the details I saw in my mind . Just a few ingredients really but I appreciate your close reading. Excellent.
Keith, the poem was set in the eighties believe it or not, but Wales was a bit tardy in the coming up to date department at that time. Not sure about the curtains....
Thanks Mark for your remarks. While the idea of allied mags is a lovely one, there was an air of indifference and slight hostility as I remember. I did do Devon on a 3speed Sturmey Archer hub gear, but derailleurs this time ( only 10 speed).
Thank you Stephen, and Stephen. So glad you approved
Ray
Comment is about BROTHERS (blog)
Original item by ray pool
The last stanza is very appropriate to that which came before as it emphasises the cyclical nature of life, not only in the seasons which are clearly evident but in our own personal journeys.
A very well crafted poem which holds the readers attention as he or she anticipates its conclusion.
Thanks for this
Keith
Comment is about This Exquisite Pain. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Only half-true?! You'll be telling us next that you're not the guy
in the photograph!!! 😦
Comment is about ON A WINNER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A subject rarely touched upon in the hustle and bustle of modern
life.
I think of cemeteries like libraries - keeping records of what has been and gone and there to remind and inform us of our past.
Whitened and often neglected, these stones
Are signposts to whitened neglected bones!
Comment is about Rest In Peace (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Just found 'Waiting for my mum,' Tommy. Stunning poetry. Just wanted to let you how moving I found it to be!
Comment is about Tommy Carroll (poet profile)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Beautiful, evocative poetry, Tommy. Really moving!
Comment is about Waiting for our Mum (blog)
Original item by Tommy Carroll
Thanks for you comments. As a landscape designer I often worked on large land drainage schemes, which I found fascinating. As others in my team shuddered at the though of being given drainage projects, I relished them. Many people can't get their heads around huge amounts of money spent on systems that are hidden away underground!!!
Comment is about Who said drainage was boring? (blog)
Original item by J R Harris
I confess, MC, only half of this is true!
And thanks for the Likes, Branwell, Holden and Stephen.
Comment is about ON A WINNER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
A poem which takes the reader to a place often shunned and at best forgotten but so full of emotion. You have created the right atmosphere in your words. A good poem indeed.
Thanks for this
Keith
Comment is about Rest In Peace (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Tue 25th Jan 2022 13:17
Thank you Nigel for reading and liking my poems. 🌷
Comment is about 101. Not a poem (blog)
Original item by Moonlight
P.S.
I look forward to this popping up as a worthy new addition to the list of Christmas songs to be heard in the future.
MC
Comment is about Fluffy Snow (blog)
Original item by William McKechnie aka Wild Bill Entertainer
Bangers - and gnash? Reliable fun from this source.
Comment is about ON A WINNER (blog)
Original item by John Coopey
The actual facts are that the support company of 1 Para fired 108 live rounds into an area full of civilians,
and did so in the knowledge that they were not being shot at or having bombs thrown at them. Their actions were not in response to the few gunmen who were in the area.
They shot at unnarmed civilians, some going to help wounded shot by fellow paratroopers, and told lies. None of the killed were wanted by the security forces, apart from two lads charged with affray in a riot. The Mod admitted that at the Widgery enquiry. para 1's behaviour was generally untypical of the main army in northern Ireland. I fail to see what the Omagh atrocity has to do with it, my aunt lived near there, as for Afghanistan, to mention that is just is comparing 'professional soldiers with ones who were anything but and provided the biggest recruiting agent for 'old PIRA'. To link the paratroopers who behaved so badly on that day with world War Two veterans is an insult to them.
Comment is about Doing your duty (blog)
Original item by Kevin Vose
Thanks Tommy and Ghazala for your comments.
I certainly believed your poem to be true, Ghazala. You are a fine storyteller!
Comment is about John Botterill (poet profile)
Original item by John Botterill
Thanks so much for the lovely supportive comments, Holden. 😀
Comment is about Life as a Treasure Hunt (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Tue 25th Jan 2022 04:53
A delightful poem, and such a great perspective on life to teach your grandson, John! 😊
Comment is about Life as a Treasure Hunt (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
This took a great deal of courage to write you can feel the raw emotion inside your sadness.
Comment is about Angelie 🕊 (blog)
Original item by Your Royal Poetess
Sign states end
pen may pause
but the poet
restarts his mind.
Comment is about 4 Endings (blog)
Original item by Andy N
Each spell cast
ugly remains false
love forever beautiful
envy and greed
we say goodbye.
Comment is about 101. Not a poem (blog)
Original item by Moonlight
Freedom we want both from the those who think they know better and the virus spreading worldwide
then maybe we can move on - - -
Comment is about Professor Sarcasm reading Reverse Philosophy (blog)
Original item by Nigel Astell
Not me. Not after reading this.
Comment is about Who said drainage was boring? (blog)
Original item by J R Harris
Just discovered this. Marvellous stuff.
Comment is about My Un-favourite Things (blog)
Original item by J R Harris
Feelings. They can create miracles. Beautiful words to wake up with. Hot coffee mug to add the perfect touch.
Beautifully expressed.
Comment is about Morning Air (blog)
Original item by Cody Roach
Brilliant analysis. Wise words of a wise man. I quite agree. Movies have always been a medium as well as the source of spreading notoriety. No body knows what may happen.
Thank you.
Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)
Original item by keith jeffries
John Coopey
Wed 26th Jan 2022 12:12
Fabulous stuff, JR. And so much more welcome than the dispiriting navel-gazing which so many seem to think passes for poetry.
Comment is about Who said drainage was boring? (blog)
Original item by J R Harris