Sound of a Distant Train (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on July 25, 2025

ENJOYED, JOHN. I CAN RELATE AS...IF I AM AWAKE...I OFTEN CAN HEAR THE 'HORN' OF A DISTANT TRAIN IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING. AND THE SOUND DOES GET MY ATTENTION AND, IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT, DIRECT MY THOUGHTS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on May 13, 2025

Beautifully written about a very nostalgic thought that many of us have from our youth when there were many more trains traveling the United States. You have had the advantage of traveling to places where trains were/are the primary source of transportation� who better to write this poem that is so delightful to read and jog our memories. Like listening to the loons on the lake. Not mournful but just communicating with others, perhaps on distant lakes.

I recall there was a famous poem� almost epic in nature, by Michael McClure of San Francisco that I heard on the radio. It was either titled Trains� or I Remember Trains.

Ron

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

Reviewed on May 13, 2025

I suppose our lives could be likened to a train. From birth to death - an ongoing journey. Most everything keeps changing around us - people, circumstance - but the train keeps moving. Life is the train, not the station. Interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing. Hope you're well, r

Reviewed by Diana Wiles

Reviewed on May 13, 2025

Many memories I recall with the sound of far off trains�
Only being a short distance from the coast as kids we often travelled on trains to the Seaside �but the best fun was hearing the train in the distance, before it reached the station on our way home, when we were tired, sandy toed, sun burnt and when the sun was going down and we were hungry for our evening meal�hearing it in the distance wending its way towards us, always brought a rush of very specific feelings and emotions�reassuring, homeward bound sensations and that wonderful sound of hissing and the smell of coal as it pulled up�
There is something very special about that sound that will stay with me forever�

Diana�🌿

Reviewed by Diana Legun

Reviewed on May 11, 2025

A fun topic for this day, John. There is something soulful about the sound of a trail whistle, and you have put it into words here �Remembrance of journeys�� and the idea of moving across the land in a vehicle so dated and still alive. Sound producing feelings, to be sure�most people I think resonate with the sound you describe as a moving message��journey and transport�the movie �The Station Agent� with Peter Dinklage contains the train as a main character. Thanks for this poetry about the power of sound. ~~ djl

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Reviewed on May 11, 2025

This piece truly resonated with me, as I am also one who finds the sound of a distant train captivating. My grandmother used to live next to the railroad tracks where a freight train passed through once a day. When visiting her with my parents, I used to sit outside and attempt to time the passage from when I first heard it in the distance until it passed. It was so frustrating over the young years to always miss the exact timing by a few seconds. Yes... calling upon the senses to focus and stay alert has fulfilled a mentoring gift of sorts for my writing. Sounds like you may have had some of the same rewards. Loved this poem as it drew some honored melencholy from my storage bank. Thanks for posting.