Verse on the Rails
Saw this article about a railway poetry anthology earlier today on Bookninja. Strangely, in my four years working on the rails, I've written very few poems directly inspired by the train and most of what I have attempted pleases me none too much (altho CLM regulars might remember this bitchy little sequence). Given what rich fodder it's been for other versifiers and given that I wrote a great deal about my last job, it's surprising that I've not been moved to write much about it. I think I likely will if I ever get around to writing a memoir/autobiography, but poems--not so much. Maybe working onboard and seeing how it all functions (or doesn't!) spoils the romance that passengers seem to experience. Maybe the fact that I can't sit around doing fuckall and being all contemplative blocks the lyric onrush. Maybe I'll wind up writing poems about it long after my railroad career is ended. Who knows? I sure would like to have a copy of that Everyman anthology, tho!
I've heard reports of a couple of different people working independently on an antho of Canadian train poems. There seems to be at least one--good, bad or indifferent--in just about every Canuck bard's oeuvre, so it could be a pretty decent book (or books) if it ever materialises.
I just got into Halifax today from PEI. By bus, alas, tho it wasn't a bad trip, considering how short of sleep and hungover I was. I had supper at my uncle Chris's last night and drank far more than I realized. A fine time. Chris and I always have terrific talks.
I'm in town for a couple of nights, taking care of a bit of business with my house (see post at the top) and visiting some friends. But my sister's condo, where I'm staying, has no phone, so I think I'm going to have to venture out to find a payphone.
Friday, I hit the rails westbound, for three nights in the Toronto area before heading back to Vancouver. It's been a good little tour, but I'm ready for home. Very ready. Lots of work to do, too, which I'm looking forward to, now that my dayjob's been nixed.
I've heard reports of a couple of different people working independently on an antho of Canadian train poems. There seems to be at least one--good, bad or indifferent--in just about every Canuck bard's oeuvre, so it could be a pretty decent book (or books) if it ever materialises.
I just got into Halifax today from PEI. By bus, alas, tho it wasn't a bad trip, considering how short of sleep and hungover I was. I had supper at my uncle Chris's last night and drank far more than I realized. A fine time. Chris and I always have terrific talks.
I'm in town for a couple of nights, taking care of a bit of business with my house (see post at the top) and visiting some friends. But my sister's condo, where I'm staying, has no phone, so I think I'm going to have to venture out to find a payphone.
Friday, I hit the rails westbound, for three nights in the Toronto area before heading back to Vancouver. It's been a good little tour, but I'm ready for home. Very ready. Lots of work to do, too, which I'm looking forward to, now that my dayjob's been nixed.
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