[Maryann Corbett]

Behold! I have retitled this thread to include the word "Sleepers." I hope that was what you wanted, John. If not, let me know. (This is something you can do, you know, by using the drop-down menu "Thread Tools" and selecting "Edit Thread." That lets you change the thread title.)

[John Whitworth]

Yes, Bazza, this is the Sleepers thread. My mistake originally and thank you Maryann for putting it right. A couple of winners from Bazza nd Birthe. I wonder, Birthe, whether you last line goes quite right. It scans but only just. The rest is quite charming.

[Jerome Betts]

Thanks John, just seen this. Well done igualmente Joan and Martin. Fortunate for me, if depressing, that economy-wrecking bankers are still getting their bonuses. May we three meet again, but not in quite such a tough one.

[Martin Elster]

Originally Posted by Jerome Betts

Thanks John, just seen this. Well done igualmente Joan and Martin. Fortunate for me, if depressing, that economy-wrecking bankers are still getting their bonuses. May we three meet again, but not in quite such a tough one.

This was certainly a tough one, Jerome. But I must say, I think it was the most fun poetic exercise I've ever had. If nothing else, it was good practice. Winning something, however, sure doesn't hurt!

Charles Ives once said: "Prizes are for boys, and I'm all grown up." I'm not sure that I agree with him.

[Jayne Osborn]

Belated congratulations to Jerome, Martin and Joan for your well-deserved Oldie victories, and to Gail, Bazza and Bill for HMs.

I'd been hoping for a bouts-rimés hat trick, having won it in Nov 02 and Aug 05, but it was a very big 'ask' indeed, given that Tessa must have had hundreds of entries - and space for just four winning poems. Not good odds at all, so J, J, and M, massive applause to all of you!

Martin,
I'm delighted that, after all the discussion about it, 'allay' for 'lay' was permissible. Wary of deviating from the straight and narrow myself, it's good to know, for future reference, that we can - so I won't be such a scaredy-cat next time.

Bazza,
I notice that I'm under you (in a manner of speaking) in Oct 06. Time to put the back issues away now and start thinking about Comp No 123.

[RCL]

If we do not get our sleepers, and forge rails,
and devote days and nights to the work,
but go tinkering upon our lives to improve them,
who will build railroads? And if railroads
are not built, how shall we get to heaven in season?
But if we stay at home and mind our business,
who will want railroads? We do not ride on the railroad;
it rides upon us. Did you ever think what those sleepers
are that underlie the railroad? Each one is a man,
an Irishman, or a Yankee man. The rails are laid on them,
and they are covered with sand, and the cars run
smoothly over them. They are sound sleepers. . .

[Martin Elster]

I like your poem, Ralph.

[Martin Elster]

Thanks, Jayne!

Martin

[Birthe Myers]

But of course, the ties are called sleepers. Ah - so one more.

We owe to China many thanks
Not just for Pooh Pooh platters
Chow Main and all such matters.
As well as loans to our banks
There were the poor Chinese
Who came, and it was these
Who built the US rails
When trains replaced the trails.
They almost broke their backs
When laying down the tracks
On mighty ties called sleepers
The sturdy, wooden keepers
Of rails that must stay strong
So nothing would go wrong
Across the continent
With passengers content
Asleep in Wagon-lits
A railroad luxury
Before the trains had funds reduced
And not one sleeper had been loosed
By years of sad neglect
But what can you expect?
Trains still go rattling through
They still bring me and you
To our destination
For that we thank their nation.

birthe

Revised, corrected, shortened, new and hopefully improved version:

We owe to China many thanks
Not just for loans to our banks
But for the many men who came
From China when we needed them

To build the US rails
When trains replaced the trails.
They almost broke their backs
When laying down the tracks

On mighty ties called sleepers
The sturdy, wooden keepers
That kept the rails secure
They built them to endure

[Holly Martins]

SLEEPERS

In childhood’s empty afternoons,
I watched the ads with crude cartoons;
ignored the sell but now I find
their catchy jingles tease my mind.

These sleepers have me in their hold,
the things I want no longer sold,
the toothpaste, sweets and paraffin,
as out-of-date as crinoline.