locomotives whistle in the night
the smell of soot ammonia iron
the hot oil of a workshop

the sound of pistons flanged wheels
that turn and grip the track
the brilliance of signals

the rattle of the crossings
maintenance gangs in sidings
shunters yards and rolling stock

the backs of houses pass
like a hand cranked film
moving one frame at a time

as sure as Newton’s apple
this is Einstein’s train its speed
relative against the landscape

Jim Bennett has written 74  books and numerous chapbooks and pamphlets in a 48 year career as a poet.  Jim lives near Liverpool in the UK and tours giving readings of his work throughout the year.  He is widely published and has won many competitions and awards for poetry and performance. He runs www.poetrykit.org one of the world’s most successful internet sites for poets.