Tag: trains

evening train (Troiku)

Here are three haiku composed by Stevenson all three are about trains and we are to write a haiku trying to stay in the same mood of this sparkling star our host has chosen.

the train picks up speed,
in a paper coffee cup
concentric waves

the river always
out there in the dark
late train home

coming home
on the train
… the backyards

(c) John Stevenson

I’m not sure I stayed in the mood but I tried to also capture moments living by train tracks. I grew up by the train tracks in Farnham, Québec  and the first few years I was married we lived just below the main train station with at least 10 tracks. Needless to say we would hear trains passing through, shunting and changing tracks most nights and we could actually feel the vibrations when trains sped by.  I chose to write a Troiku and tell a brief story at the same time. The Troiku was created by our host, Chévrefeuille.  To see more about this form click here

Farnham, Québec Railway Station – Wikipedia

cooking supper
kitchen window shakes
evening train

cooking supper
called children to the table
train whistles

kitchen window shakes
pot of stew boils over
train screeches

evening train
children squeal with joy
Daddy’s home!

(c) Tournesol ’15

Carpe Diem Sparkling Stars

Ride home (haiga)

clr '14
clr ’14

Train runs on time

chasing clouds on the run

whistle blows.

© clr '14
© clr ’14

clouds etched in the sky

bales of hay set out to dry

one dark cloud taunts

© clr'14
© clr’14

lightness dims

sun bows gracefully

almost home

darkness greets me solemnly

city lights wink high above.

© clr '14
© clr ’14

© Cheryl-Lynn 2014/07/17

Missing them already (haibun)

I love traveling by rail and do as often as I can. The trek Montreal to Toronto by car can take about 5 to 6 hours and by train if I am lucky and get the express which only stops at 3 places, it takes 4 and a half hours. Some other trains can take up to 7 hours and the bus takes 6 hours and costs anywhere from $18 to $50. Just fuel to get there one way costs me $70. Now if I am really lucky, I try to book a few days before departing and can get on business class for one-third of the price. That means, I get longer leg room, can get a seat alone by the window and am paying the economy class price.

© CLR 2014 First Class Via Rail
© CLR 2014 First Class Via Rail

At business class, we get a 3-course meal with all the before dinner drinks, wine, and after dinner drinks you want. Well, I stick to a glass or two of wine but there are some who can sure pack it in. I would be crawling off the train if I tried to keep up. Last winter we were stalled for an extra two hours due to the cold weather, the tracks were iced and they could not switch tracks. So we waited for all the trains to pass on one particular track as a safety measure. I sure was glad I was in the business class…nice and roomy, blogging away on my laptop.

© CLR 2014 Lake Ontario Via Rail
© CLR 2014 Lake Ontario Via Rail

I visit once or twice a year to see my family now. I rarely go see my friends as there is not enough time but to catch a lot of my friends and colleagues, I pick up a shift in Toronto since it’s the national office of where I work. Every time I leave, I feel homesick barely a few miles out of the city. I have two places I call home since 1997 and it is with mixed feelings I leave each time.

© CLR 2014 Via Rail
© CLR 2014 Via Rail

train slows down
nearing a crossing by the lake
echoes on the beach

~

picking up speed
whizzing by lakes and farmland
my heart aches

© CLR 2014 Via Rail

© CLR 2014/7/07

Submitted for: Carpe Diem Haiku Kai   #507, Shiki, Smoke Whirls