STRANGER THINGS…

Stranger outcomes happen,

When opportunity’s tapping,

Wanting in

And you begin

Writing ideas you’re trapping!

–

He’s written ’bout Christ and trains–

Weather seems worth one’s pains….

Fashion poems are new

As something to do,

And the challenge takes working brains!

–

I’d say it is channeling energy,

Most of which has left me….

Shapes and sizes

And stylish surmises,

Still need a bard’s entrée.

–

“An eye for the women.” one said,

Focusing on their clothes instead..

“Clothes make the man”

And women, and can

Leave little more to be said!

–

YET–a poet describes,

Details that emanate vibes…

Along a track

That likes feedback,

Both positive and wise!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

 

 

 

MODELING MEMORIES

His memories of New England various,

Were by and large vicarious…

Mostly pictures he saw

with interest and awe,

His chances of a visit–hilarious!

–

Point of fact he was too young,

Couldn’t drive himself even some…

The eight-hour ride

Once a summer left wide,

Window for relevant magazines to come!

–

Still his interest grew,

Past the time when he knew…

This paint scheme was gone,

these ALCOs moved on.

But the history he wanted to view.

–

Found an N scale engine thus,

Painted just like this—a plus–

To re-enact

Historical fact,

Without too much fuss!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

 

FINAL (?) COMMENTS ON A “GRIFFIN”

A mythical griffin is true

To its nature blue…

Made of rock–

Sturdy stock=–

It never  no never boo-hoos!

–

Unlike the “comedienne,

Who’s turned herself into “victim”…

Self responsibility

Is unconscionably,

Denied by her or him!

–

Now a lawyer she seeks,

Someone else must pay her lost “ekes”

She did the act–

No one “made her”, in fact–

Most of us see through her pitiful squeaks!

–

It’s time for this child to grow up,

As one wag said–MAN UP!…

You’ve gone too far

With behavior bizarre,

With morals you’ve proven corrupt.

–

(An opinion post! )

–

-Jonathan Caswell

WHAT SAYS “NEW ENGLAND” ?

My model layout wanders it seems

Away from cherished themes…

What for you

Says “New England” too,

Beyond operational schemes?

–

 Does NISSEN BREAD,

MOXIE, barns red,

SPAGS and stores

With “colonial” decors,

Monuments to Revolutionary dead?

–

Dairies and granite quarries

In earlier days held stories…

Ice cream and views

Along the Turnpike count too,

And whaling ship stories!

–

Broad “a’s” in speech,

A Kennedy’s reach…

Where Plymouth Rock stays

And Sturbridge Village ways

Are preserved to history teach!

–

So for my small train set,

What industries are best…

Beverages and rock salt

Metals, food stuffs sought,

And historic touristy nests?

–

Gravel still travels by train,

Lumber and minerals same…

Environmental ire

Has dampened coal fired

Power plants, but garbage still flames!

–

A water-powered mill

And museum of trains fit the bill…

For small excursions

Of rich incursions into filling the local till!

–

Do you think I’ll have enough room,

I figure some things will die soon…

New England gives

And takes to live,

But survival cannot be assumed!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

JUSTIFYING MY “0-6-2”

An N scale “2-6-2”,

The lead set of wheels he blew…

Pictured once

An engine thus,

Converted to an “0-6-2.”

–

Most steam engines of this type,

In foreign fields are ripe…

In the U.S.

Mostly tank engines are left,

Them with tenders as hard to find as snipe!

–

Some may have come from Birmingham,

Alabama, a modified plan…

No evidence there—

Or up in the air—

The Internet doesn’t do well with “rare”.

–

He thinks Indiana coal fields,

Was where a real engine congealed…

Now he cannot find

The photo in mind,

Not finding a prototype, his mind reels!

–

Worse yet, he’s lost his model,

Was it sold or just took a toddle…

Somewhere below

All the other stuff so,

His research continues in high throttle!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

Google Image of a live steam model of a European designed 0-6-2 + tender,

produced by ROUNDHOUSE, makers of small scale live steam models.

POET…AFTER (A) FASHION!

He calls himself “fashion poet”,

One or two others know it…

In pursuits

Avoiding lawsuits,

He certainly doesn’t want to blow it!

–

Him being man and all,

Must carefully judge his call…

With less passion

Than stereotypical fashion,

Not being the Beast at the ball.

–

Gender matters to him,

Especially if women…

They’re the kind

He most has in mind,

Do they mind if he tiptoes in?

–

–Jonathan Caswell

TRAPPIST FOODS

When J. J. NISSEN folded,

My image of a bakery molded…

Its replacement too big

So I had to dig,

To see what research “beholded”.

–

My past is in two places–

It one ever traces–

The lines of “me”

Diligently

For personal data chases!

–

Massachusetts, New York State,

My two major windows of fate…

Born here

But raised over there,

Memories in both are great.

–

One of my faves was Monks Bread,

A Trappist Monastery did…

And still does

The bread funds their cause,

Producing jams, jellies, plus all kinds of bread!

–

A model flat against the wall,

Leaves hardly space at all…

Have to use what I have

Of plastic walls saved,

Modeling a bakery et. al.

–

So I thought of TRAPPIST FOODS,

A catch-all title to use…

Producing bread

And conserves, I said,

Switching different train cars is a ball!

–

Specifically, flour and fruit,

Corn syrup and sugar to boot…

Isn’t enough?

They brand other stuff,

The question of a brewery—moot.

–

MONKS BREAD  from Western New York,

From that Trappist Abbey of course…

A college friend

Heading toward that end,

Found a wife and went in another!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

EXODUS 20: 3-5 A POEM

Have no other gods before Him,

Not even by innocent whim…

It’s suicidal

To worship an idol,

Walking on ice very thin.

–

So periodically

He must sort his files to see…

What grabs his heart–

With that he must part,

‘Tis better than hypocrisy!

–

Culling out accumulations

Of any conflagrations,,,

That hold him fast

He will cast,

Out for sanctification.

–

–Jonathan Caswell

HOORAY–NO SPARKS!

HOORAY–NO SPARKS!

–

Looked at a woman I know,

Formerly gave me a glow…

Nothing this time

But smiles and this rhyme,

Rejoicing that emotions say “no”.

–

Formerly had a crush,

In the middle of the exit rush…

Bothered in fact

Tempted to act,

But glad I resisted the push!

–

Being true to my mate

Is so appropriate…

‘Though this one’s fair

With less attraction there,

The man can celebrate!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

PERMANENT SLAVE CLASS

PERMANENT SLAVE CLASS

(An economic opinion)

–

Raising the Minimum wage?

The “Progressive’s” constant rage…

You will not progress

Because of largess,

The Liberals have you caged!

–

Do you want to do this for life?

Letting those in power knife…

Your improvement

Of yourself–that went–

You’re being kept down for their strife!

–

Why is a President proud,

Of increased violent crowds?

While he plays

Golf most days,

Partying often and loud?

–

It’s because he basks in power,

Liberal prospects tower…

Deceive you they will

And send you the bill,

And if you question–glower!

–

I really wish I could side

On the other political divide…

But conservatives too

Want goodies from you,

Watching their vowed principles slide!

–

Opportunities are out there,

Be real–stop beating the air–

Striving break free

Of given slavery,

If you won’t save yourself—who really cares?

–

Lucky to get a full-time, TAKE IT,

Work really hard to make it…

Caught at the bottom

Prospects are rotten,

Your human dignity–RETAKE IT!!!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

(An opinion piece)