The weariness of trains

Day after day I dream the weariness of trains
rattling on their way to tired, greying termini
with rows of nodding heads on crowded shoulders,
faces masking irritation at the endless stops
and starts, the coughs and farts, the seething heat
beneath the seats, the shuffling feet in secret
wars for other spaces; and all the time for
everyone to see and none to notice, lovers laughing.

Day after day I climb the clattering stairs to light,
cold air and open, busy spaces, men with cases
marching fast, suited women pushing past
- and all oblivious to the lovers locked
in one last kiss beside the blue-green river.


This was my homework for the week: write a poem using loads of objects. It had to have thirteen lines containing a sentence of eight lines and one of five. Each line had to be at least ten beats. At least two lines had to contain alliteration and there had to be lots of feeling. Fancy marking my homework?