Tyldesley Station
Standing on the platform
Collecting namers shortly after school
Stillness of the station
Quiet, peaceful
A place for meditation
So cool
Then the noise of steam train
Approaching
Chuntering up the brew from Wigan way
The belch of steam
The noise of carriage doors
Now opening
And slamming doors
Mind now, clear the way
People getting on
And folk alighting
Porters and master move along
Engine driver smiling
And enjoying
His elevated place the engine’s song
Suddenly a whistle
And a shunting
Steam train revs the wheels and off she goes
Station returns to peaceful dreaming
Always here
Always in repose
Which do I prefer?
The noise and bustle
Or the quiet peaceful times
Between the trains
The silence is so lovely
I’m attracted
Until another steam train comes again
We need a bit of both
I think the answer
Peace and quiet
Noise and action too
Comings and goings
On the platform
And at the end
Perhaps a gill or two
Brian Fahy
20 May 2021
* Tyldesley Station was opened in 1864 and suffered the Beeching axe and closure in 1969. It had three through lines, the main station platform and an island with a platform either side: Manchester in one direction, Leigh and Wigan in the other.
Erris Poetry 