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Do you enjoy writing or reading poetry?  Most of the posts on Big Sky Buckeye are filled with poetry, but I also share short stories, photography, and a few surprises along the way. You are invited to sit a spell and find something you like.  I enjoy sharing my curiosity through my writing.  You are welcome to like, comment, follow, share, or reblog a post.

Featured Post

Every Monday allows an opportunity to search Big Sky Buckeye’s growing archives for a previously published post.  Written in March, 2020, here is a delightful poem inspired by a banjo player giving an impromptu performance with his “Melody in the Woods.”

In addition to my writing, view another journal entry posted on May 29 in From My Journal.  While Big Sky Buckeye enjoys writing poetry and short stories, much of his journal writing is inspired from reading and commenting on other blogger’s posts.

You are invited to read a quote updated on May 29 from thoughts found in the words of Canadian-American singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen.  He shares a couple of his insightful reflections.

Here’s my Baker’s Dozen, featuring 13 of my recent writings from the past couple of weeks.  Each post is linked to take you right to its location.  Other poems, short stories, and feature writings can be found in the archives (found at the top of the page), which will be updated frequently with past selections.  Enjoy!

Monday Memories: Riding the Train

This poem reflects upon the journey of a young boy who has the opportunity to travel on a train back in the late 1960s.  I will always remember this trip with my father.  Originally written in December, 2018, the poem has been updated for both content and style.

Northern Pacific Railroad’s North Coast Limited (courtesy of Pinterest).

Lying awake in bed on hot, sultry summer nights

Young boy listens to moving trains, far out of sight

 

Dreaming of riding passenger trains, brings thrills

Reliable North Coast Limited quickly travels at will

 

Riding the Northern Pacific Railway’s pride and joy

Father takes son on his first-ever train trip—oh boy!

 

Sitting together in the comfy coach car, so much fun

Experiencing all that connects a father with his son

 

Shuffling down the aisle, steward offers snack foods

Restaurant in Glendive soon satisfies hungry moods

 

Making its journey to Montana’s “Gateway City” today

Hustling train passes many small towns along the way

 

Flashing quickly by—Custer, Hathaway, and Terry

Steady North Coast Limited acts as trusted ferry

 

Feeling safe with train’s constant rocking motion

Son’s eyes soon close, sleeping to its locomotion

 

Waking up, train slowing for a scheduled stop

Town of Forsyth, pausing for quick eavesdrop

 

Picking up steam, locomotive continues on its way to the East

Yellowstone River runs alongside, train powers up like a beast

 

Finishing this exciting journey and reaching their destination

Glendive will serve as today’s ending Montana train station

 

Accompanying his father as he takes care of his affairs

Enjoying dinner and staying overnight without any cares

 

Returning back home to Billings the very next morn

Son believing train travel should be his new norm

 

Sitting in cozy dining car, both treated quite well

Elegantly set table makes pancakes taste swell

 

Moving up to the observation car, enjoying beautiful views

Autumn’s harvested farm fields, lining up straight and true

 

Hurtling by more towns—Rosebud and Fallon go past

It’s much too bad this captivating journey cannot last

 

Remembering again those images and sounds of the train

Memories of the North Coast Limited shall always remain

 

Observation car on the North Coast Limited (courtesy of Pinterest).

Coast to Coast

worms eye view photography of statue of liberty

Photo by Jamie McInall on Pexels.com

Sightseeing from Atlantic to Pacific coasts

Experiencing America, with much to boast

 

Lady Liberty’s gleaming torch welcomes all

Blazing autumn colors define Vermont’s fall

 

Appalachians conceal valleys, nestled with small towns

Nashville welcomes music with a big “Country” sound

 

Florida’s Everglades house gators galore

Across America’s skies, bald eagles soar

 

Commanding Mississippi River slices through the land

Florida and California beaches offer up surf and sand

 

Interstate highways transport autos everywhere

Great Lakes provide a waterway, here to there

 

New Orleans offers entertainment in its French Quarter

To the South, Rio Grande River creates a watery border

 

America’s breadbasket reaps harvests from the Great Plains

Loaded grain, freight, and more journey on mile-long trains

 

Towering Rockies sing of marvelous beauty up high

Visiting out West, appreciating a Big Montana Sky

 

Seattle’s Pike’s Market, a distinctive place to treasure

California’s redwoods, their height is one to measure

 

Arid Southwest rains bloom flowers throughout the land

Grand Canyon’s brilliant scenery plays a winning hand

 

Finally reaching the Pacific coast at long last

The Golden Gate Bridge arrives much too fast

golden gate bridge san francisco california

Photo by Ignacio Palés on Pexels.com

Riding the Train

daylight empty farm farmland

Photo by Daniel Frese on Pexels.com

Lying awake in bed on hot, sultry summer nights

Young boy listens to moving trains, far out of sight

 

Dreaming of riding passenger trains, brings thrills

Reliable North Coast Limited quickly travels at will

 

Riding the Northern Pacific Railway’s pride and joy

Father takes son on his first-ever train trip—oh boy!

 

Sitting together in the comfy coach car, so much fun

Experiencing all that connects a father with his son

 

Shuffling down the aisle, steward offers snack foods

Restaurant in Glendive soon satisfies hungry moods

 

Making its journey to Montana’s “Gateway City” today

Hustling train passes many small towns along the way

 

Flashing quickly by—Custer, Hathaway, and Terry

Steady North Coast Limited acts as trusted ferry

 

Feeling safe with train’s constant rocking motion

Son’s eyes soon close, sleeping to its locomotion

 

Waking up, train slowing for a scheduled stop

Town of Forsyth, pausing for quick eavesdrop

 

Picking up steam, locomotive continues on its way to the East

Yellowstone River runs alongside, train powers up like a beast

 

Finishing this exciting journey and reaching their destination

Glendive will serve as today’s ending Montana train station

 

Accompanying his father as he takes care of his affairs

Enjoying dinner and staying overnight without any cares

 

Returning back home to Billings the very next morn

Son believing train travel should be his new norm

 

Sitting in cozy dining car, both treated quite well

Elegantly set table makes pancakes taste swell

 

Moving up to the observation car, enjoying beautiful views

Autumn’s harvested farm fields, lining up straight and true

 

Hurtling by more towns—Rosebud and Fallon go past

It’s much too bad this captivating journey cannot last

 

Remembering again those images and sounds of the train

Memories of the North Coast Limited shall always remain

 

I actually made this trip with my father back in the late 1960s.  Read more about the Northern Pacific Railway’s amazing passenger service from North Coast Limited.