we are delayed,
i’m squished between
a german business man
in flawless gray and white
and an indian mama
she’s fat and smells of cardamom,
our arms touch ‘cross the borders, i dont mind
cause she feels warm
& i would love to offer her a mint against
the constant coughing
but there’s nothing within reach,
not even confidence
descending into fog,
the gray & white guy helps me with my luggage,
first and last time that i see him smile
the indian mama never did–
me neither
as i board the train to brighton,
the weather’s english
and i thought i am prepared
and yet–
i’m not
.
wrote this while sitting in the train to brighton for a few days of off-time, wind and sea.. and obviously.. fog.. arrived now and heading out to get familiar with the town.. smiles
jaywalking the moon 
Hi Claudia,
again a little present in my Mail-Inbox – flight-lyrics. Hip-hip-hurray. Can see the lady and the guy, smell the cardamom. Your wirting is so real, so near by. Like it so much and hope, my englisch is not too bad. Hope so. Enjoy England – I never was there. But next year, I will got to London. Definetly.
Ciao
Jens
I can see you squished in that seat! Enjoy Brighton…you’ll become acclimatised to the drizzle very soon with any luck and it won’t get in the way of the buzz of the town.
enjoy the trip Claudia! sounds like the ride has already got the words flowing, so look forward to reading a few more ‘Brighton’ poems.
haha oh how I hate those types of rides. Should always have a tic tac on hand for those bad breath large people..hahaha
This is intriguing because you wrote it upon taking a train ride and writing about the nuances and feelings… I will have to do that – open my eyes to the minute details of a short journey… really study the people and the feelings I have about the whole thing! 🙂 I hope you enjoy your get-a-way!
Used to visit Brighton quite often when I was in England. Nice seaside town!
Enjoyed the coziness of this poem and the compactness. There is some kind of special understatement, naturalness here that I can’t describe that makes this very effective and self-contained.
What a perfect little snap shot. I loved this… and live this frankly,
“but there’s nothing within reach,
not even confidence”.
Have a great time. I know you’ll recharge that imagination of yours that leads to your wonderful poetry.
I really enjoy poems that are simple glimpses into experiences. Kind of remind me of a Polaroid picture or a journal entry. Well done.
This is so well done! This made me feel as if I were traveling with you.
You created such a vivid image of the events and people…filling all our senses.
Nice write Claudia. I use to travel all the time, 10 mo’s a year for an old job I had and these little observations are so common, you captured the essence perfectly. But I love your little reflections here the most- totally ties in nicely. Hope you have a nice trip in England
Have a wonderful stay and don’t let the fog get you down. Nice details in this poem.
smiles. i hope you have a great time my friend and find freedom beyond the squish and scent of cardamom…nice on the man to be of help…i think you will find in walking the beaches your readiness…shalom
Isn’t that just peachy?… we get squeezed into a slice of life poetry jam! =) You are a gem. I would have at least smiled at your beautiful self. Have fun, rest and enjoy.
Claudia, I loved this. I could picture (and smell!) every line. Also, “nothing within reach… not even confidence,” a very nice turn of phrase.
I understand the idea of reaching your destination and realizing you’re simply not ready to be there yet! Harkens back to my old musician days… smiles, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/o-men/
Nothing better than using trains or public transport for inspiration – something I do frequently!