by Tom Berman
Smelling again
the steam train smells
soot coming in the window
as we cross the landscapes
of the Czech lands,
woods and rolling fields
to Nürnberg
of dark memories;
the Rhineland-
and a choir of kinder
singing: Kde moj dom….
to Cologne;
along the level plains
of Holland
night crossing
to Harwich
with English gulls
screeching
as our train
pulls out of the platform
the Fens and
coming at last
steam wreathed
to Liverpool St. Station
Inspired by Good
a voyage reenacted
passing on the message
to a younger generation
So many stories
trajectories of lives
scattered
chance coincidences
punctuated
with jazz sessions
by the Hottentots
much laughter, tears
and a kaleidoscope
of memories shared
old friendships found
and new bonds made