Spaghetti Wordsmith - Roy Susans

THE THROUGH EXPRESS

I am the “through” express train and I’ll not be slowing down
For I’m passing on the “up” line on my way to London town.

“Will Passengers on Platform One kindly stand well back
Because the train approaching is the “fast through” on this track”
We look along the line to see the stream of smoke it makes
And wonder at the speed it goes; how little it takes
Since first we saw it coming in the distance, ‘round the bend
And pass the “distant” signal and up to the platforms end.
For it is the through express train that’ll not be slowing down
And it’s passing on the “up” line on its way to London town.

The ground we now feel trembling at the power and the sound
It feels just like an earthquake that is moving underground.
And the engine slightly swaying as it trundles on its track
At first it swings to one side and then very quickly back.
The blowing of its whistle-of its approach to tell
Sounding like a banshee that has just come out of Hell.
It is the through express train that will not be slowing down
And it’s passing on the “up” line on its way to London town.

Small children cling to mother, to the one that they hold dear.
Trembling with excitement or is it really fear?
Then as the engine passes there’s a sign upon its side
Saying it’s a Merchant Navy class; a badge it wears with pride.
The driver and the fireman are the footplate’s only crew.
It is the dream of many boys a job like that to do.
For it is the through express train that will not be slowing down
And it’s passing on the “up” line on its way to London town.

With its roaring, rushing, flying by, the wind it makes is just
Something to make us turn our heads because of flying dust.
The carriages that come behind with people in its grip
All calmly riding unconcerned upon this Devil’s trip.
Then relatively peace again follows this scary deed
And the final coach goes by and in the distance will recede.
For that was the through express train that never did slow down
That has just passed on the “up” line on its way to London town.