The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Sat 12/15/2007)

[RetroLounge]

After a Train Trip, One Town Remains

If you stopped there it was only to refuel.
Chances are you went by fast and the town curved
by you in the tricky lens the window
of a fast train is. The style: American,
last century farm. The state: someplace high plains.
Much as you like wind on the scene, the vane
didn’t move on the water tower. You don’t remember
one woman outlined lovingly on sky
or a dog bent hoping someone would want him.

It makes no sense, that town hanging wherever
you are, whatever you do. It reminds you
of nothing, the religion, if anything, grim.
The highest point was the steeple, protestant you think,
For certain not lax. It hovered like a mean bird
over the six homes you counted and you know
if you lived there you’d go to church or be stoned
in the dirt streets Monday, saying hello.

Years later you take the same train. You find
the same town. This time, a tavern, neon
“Grain Belt on tap” in the window and neon cross
on the church. You count nine houses. The market
that must have been there before has macadamed
the parking lot. When you pull out you look back
long as you can. Not very long.

Richard Hugo

**********************************

:hi:

RL

[hisownpetard]

1. Nice. Hadn't read that one in a long time. Thanks!!

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

2. You're welcome

and good morning.

:hi:

RL

[lizziegrace]

3. I like that

:)

[RetroLounge]

6. thanks

I typed it myself...

:hi:

RL

[lizziegrace]

10. And you did a FINE job!

:P

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. yes.

Always.
That One Town.

Thanks.

[RetroLounge]

12. it never fades far enough into the past, does it?

:hi:

RL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear Retro!

Ah, lovely!

The inner vision, and the outer...

Playing together...

Thank you, sweetie!

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

7. ...

:hi:

RL

[BlueIris]

8. Bleak! Depressing! I love it!

[RetroLounge]

9. ...

:hi:

RL

[SPKrazy]

11. time marches on

nice but sad

:hi:

thanks

[RetroLounge]

15. ...

:hi:

RL

[libodem]

13. I came from a small town

and it feels just like that....ugh

[RetroLounge]

14. Yeah, Hugo really captures the mood...

He has a book out called The Triggering Town which is essays about writing and poetry, and he goes deeply into the concept of the small, northern plains town...

:hi:

RL

[libodem]

16. it's just like

everyone lives in glass houses