Homework for April 2022 - From the Window of a Train

[Shelley Hansen]

This is an intriguing subject, Maureen - so many possibilities! As soon as I read your prompts, I thought of our journey some years back on the Indian Pacific. We started in Perth, crossing the Nullabor from west to east. It was an adventure I'll never forget - and every one of your prompts was a perfect fit!

FROM THE WINDOW OF A TRAIN
© Shelley Hansen 7/4/22

It begins with the drape of cerulean sky
on a verdant meandering vale,
as the skyscraper skeletons vanish at last
and the sights of the city grow pale.

We are travelling eastward as gold fields of wheat
wave a welcome in afternoon light.
Then the landscape grows arid as far, far behind
the retreating sun sinks into night.

I see ten thousand stars on a rooftop so dark
that it blackens the desert below,
till the rising full moon casts her white misty veils,
bathing bare limestone plains in her glow.

Then my dreams are diminished by dawn’s spreading rays
as a sunrise of orange and pink
touches tips of the saltbush and lights up a crag
where an eagle is perched on the brink.

Soon this view from my window will change, but I know
that its imprint will always remain
in my heart, and when memory calls it to mind
it will play to the sound of a train.

[Terry]

Hi Shelley

Having also been on that train a couple of times (mind you I think it was called 'The Trans Continental' then.)
But nothing has changed from the views I'm sure.
I enjoyed the train trip back through time in your words Shelley - Thanks.

Terry

[Shelley Hansen]

Thanks Terry - yes it sure is an unforgettable experience!

[Ron]

Ah yes Shelley, I liked that, very descriptive and you have certainly made great use of the prompts!
That train trip is one that has been on our bucket list for quite a while, hopefully one day it will happen.
Enjoyed the read, well done.
Ron.

[Maureen K Clifford]

I enjoyed reading this and your perspective - I crossed the Nullabor - there and back once, and confess I found it boring beyond belief but I suspect that it was the constant driving that gave me a bad impression - no real chance to stop and see anything as it was a rushed trip. Seeing it in more relaxed circumstances would be very different I suspect. You certainly made good use of the prompts.

[Shelley Hansen]

Thanks Ron and Maureen

Yes, it certainly is an iconic trip. Not the most comfortable experience but certainly one to remember!!

Cheers
Shelley

[Catherine Lee]

Oh lovely, Shelley! I love train journeys, and this reminded me of how I felt when I had the chance to take a short trip on The Ghan many years ago. You evoke lovely images here with your descriptive words, and I absolutely love how you've ended it. Beautifully done!

[Shelley Hansen]

Thanks so much Catherine! Rod and I have always loved trains and train stations and the history of rail.

We haven't had the opportunity to ride the Ghan yet - though we happened to be in Darwin when the first Adelaide-Darwin Ghan arrived in 2003. So of course, we went to the station to view it.

Cheers
Shelley

[mummsie]

Beautifully crafted Shelley! You've transported us to the very scene.

This is a fine example of how with the right choice of visual and tangible words, and by zeroing in on specific details, the writer sets the scene, appealing to the readers senses. Its important as writers to discern which details are important and which can be left out and I feel you've nailed it here with the use of colors, shapes, sounds etc to capture our minds and put us there right along side you on that train. Loved it!

Sue

[Shelley Hansen]

Hi Sue

Thank you so much and sorry for taking so long to respond. I really appreciate the detail you've mentioned - and that's exactly the image I was attempting to create, so I'm delighted that it came across to you.

As you can probably tell, I love trains and train journeys - they are full of poetry!

Cheers
Shelley