BACKS
No-one designs the backs of buildings to be
seen
a child with wooden blocks could do better
yet every day
a million eyes see them from
train windows.
Ageing Victorian terraces
trailing listless grey
washing,
yards full of junk,
and sagging curtains
revealing glimpses of other
people’s lives.
Flat brick rows of suburbia,
double glazed windows looking onto manicured
gardens
and a crying child under a
climbing frame.
The train goes by so fast, do they know we see them?
Perhaps it doesn’t matter
as long as the eyes that
watch a moment of your life
are those of strangers.
..............................................................................
Thanks to J Hardy Carroll for the photo and Rochelle for hosting FF on her blog https://rochellewisoff.com/
Another poem, and again a rewrite of one I wrote earlier - this has been a hectic week. I am in the throes of the final ( I think!) edit of my latest novel, which is a sequel to Helter-Skelter published in 2018. Yes, it's been a long time coming, but my excuse is that I published four other books in the intervening period. They are all, of course, available on Amazon.
My LIVING ROCK series - A Volcanic Race: Wolf Clan: Landslide: Rock Festival.
AND a little book of poems which you can buy by clicking on the image at the top of this page.
We've all been there, thought that. Well captured, Lizy
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neil.
DeleteOften thought those same thoughts, Lizy. Used to travel to and from London and it was always 'entertaining'.
ReplyDeleteSuch exposure would bother me, but I guess you'd learn to ignore it.
DeleteWe all are watchers; some of us record, so those that didn't see, can know. Lovely poem Liz, sums up many a train journey.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful comment.
DeleteHow true is this?
ReplyDeleteI suppose, like you said, it doesn't matter as long as they eyes watching are doing so briefly from afar...
But the eyes are multiplied over and over, every day...
DeleteThis is profound in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading more than the words, Susan.
DeleteI really enjoyed this. And the end is so true.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra. It seems to have rung a bell with a few people!
DeleteGreat philosophy in this piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks FB
DeleteBeautifully described, Lizy,
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mason.
Deletesometimes life passes by too quickly we're unable to appreciate what we're seeing.
ReplyDeleteSo true, plaridel, we should slow down more.
DeleteSo evocative of train journeys everywhere.
ReplyDeleteEspecially into a city! Thanks, Peter.
DeleteLittle glimpses into strangers' lives. That brought to mind film sets, which are beautiful and believable from the front but essentially missing at the back!
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean!
DeleteYou've described perfectly what we all experience on a suburban train ride!
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith x
DeleteThis was a profound and beautifully written piece, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThank you, AB.
DeleteGood prose, Liz. Have you ever seen the movie, "The Girl on the Train"? It's a thriller about a commuter who starts noticing things at the houses along her route.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the movie but not seen it. Thanks for reading my poem.
DeleteBeautiful poem and very true. And I've been reminded of 'The Girl on the train' as well, which isn't exactly my genre, but the hype made me read it and then I wanted to see it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terry. I'm going to have to see that film!
DeleteWell said. I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bill.
DeleteI have been there too. We catch so many glimpses of different people at different places. Great take, Liz!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shweta!
DeleteSorry I'm late, I don't always have access to a computer with which to access Blogger.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem and full of wisdom and truth.