Took a better part of at least 12 trips in the legendary Deccan Queen to come up with this one. Have
Nitin Mule to thank for providing the inspiration.
Whistling and humming
I reached CST station
For Pune was my destination
and the Deccan QUeen was my ride
Reached the Old Ladys' House
And lost myself in a sea
Of hands and legs and eyes
And minds in haste
Trying to get onto the moving rakes
To catch the window seat
A respite, if so great, it is
From the raging April heat
I gather myself
i musn't be late
The Queen stands ready
On platform number 8
Walking rapidly
Through the metal detectors
Invalid standing sentries
Incapable protectors
Addling through a cloud
of suspicious eyes
Of armed uniformed men
26/11, they remember the cries
past the guns and batons
Along i scurry
Towards coach D4
Seat 8+70
Delight O' delights
'Tis a window seat
Alas right next to the sewer
The stench no perfume could beat
Oh how i wish the whistle would sound
the sweat trickling down steadily
With fellow passengers climbing in
Book seller,chocolate salesman, all joining the melee
The hustle and bustle
rose and rose the din
Till the clock spake 5:10 and the whistle sang
With a jolt, we began, leavig the station behind
gaining momentum With every passing second
Past stations and people, all in a blur
Amidst the din of the rail track
All else did sound like a slur
With music in my ears
and wind in my hair
haughtily, i eyed the onlookers
Loser, i said, without much care
A few moments past
My big tummy did grumble
"Its time to fill me up"
It said in an unheard rumble
make beeline for the pantry car
Toast and cutlet and tea
The smell beckoned, i helped myself
Oh, i might have shouted in glee
Almost greedily i devoured
To my stomachs fill
Sauntered back, lurching left and right
Trying hard to stay still
Occupying my seat again
i gave a burp of joy
What more can a man ask for
Unrepentant,even if i were to die?
Reached for the WOdehouse book
Straight to page 25
Jeeves and Bertie Woosterare a delight
Into the story i dive
Word by word, page by page
the plot unravels
Through townships and farm lands
The Queen, with Godspeed, travels
Lulled into a doze,
i Dont even know when
Woke with start, but only for a while
Karjat came and as quickly by it went
Loped the Queen through the meadows
past the traffic at the intersections
Ascending swiftly through the meters
Towards Lonavla station
We slowed down on Monkey hill
My eyes did spring open
to the wonderful sight and hues,
Red and orange, from the setting sun
The small villages down in the valley
Tunnels and ravines, all came
Carving out a memory
In many an unforgettable frame
For only some time
Was the train silent
half the passengers enjoying the sight
The others slept with heads bent
At 622 meters
The companion locomotives bid adieu
Night was descending
and bystanders were few
Fell back into my dreams
Snored through rest of the way
Waking with a frown and slight dismay
When somebody said
"Pune station aalay!"
