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Tooting Her Own Horn

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Mark Allen was ten years old, and his favorite things were trains; Like teal moments after the storm, when colorful beauty remains. Mark had a shiny, toy train set, and he was frequently adding cars; As people often have dreams of travel, underneath jewelled stars. Mark's Papa was a train conductor. He loved to manage the train; And Mark liked to listen for its whistle, while playing in Green Lane. Dinah was Mark's little sister, and she'd give her toy horn a blast; As she looked out the window with Mama, to see the train go past! Flashing stars began fading away, in the mystic aura of fruity sun; And fascinating friends came to frolick, when skies turned lemon. Fall finally faced the cruel fact, that beautiful flowers were dying; As fervent family flew in with kisses, in purple dawn sun, shining. Mark lived in the house of motion, in the halls of going someplace; And redbirds visiting sunny window sill, like summer at the gates. Stars shivered in sad winter, although they were sequestered afar; On the street of spectral beauties, intense and somewhat bizarre! New neighbors observed social niceties, as necessary as nostalgia, Sharing their notions into nighttime, like aurora borealis of Alaska. 'Rainbow rose' still cried dewy tears, as 'inky fingers' wrote forever; And 'chocolate vines' caused temptation, in velvety hours of leisure. 'Money plant' jingled its coins, when 'aeonium superbang' exploded; And 'shoebutton' plants got fastened, in sunny glaze, sugar coated. Mark dreamt of being a railroad man, like the father he so admired, One coral day, when fully grown; for golden time never grows tired! 'I've been working on the railroad, All the live long day. I've been working on the railroad, Just to pass the time away. Can't you hear the whistle blowing? Rise up early in the morn. Can't you hear the captain shouting? "Dinah, blow your horn!" Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow your horn? Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow your horn?

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 3/19/2025 1:19:00 PM
- Exciting train journeys ... so much to experience along the tracks ... I hear it coming ... a lovely story, Evelyn :) - hugs
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Evelyn Judy Buehler
Date: 3/19/2025 8:14:00 PM
I love your 'train' of thought, Anne-Lise, ha ha! Thank you so much. :) hugs
Date: 3/18/2025 6:12:00 AM
kids realize their dreams, not adults, this is a touching and beautiful story, i loved the final music of the poem, wonderful indeed
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Evelyn Judy Buehler
Date: 3/18/2025 2:58:00 PM
Your appreciation is extra nice! Thanks for your lovely thoughts. :)
Date: 3/17/2025 4:30:00 PM
I was totally engaged with this cleverly invented story. It's great. I remember that song. I always wondered who Dinah was.
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Evelyn Judy Buehler
Date: 3/17/2025 5:47:00 PM
I used to sing that song myself. I wondered who Dinah was, too, lol. Deepest thanks for your appreciation. :D
Date: 3/15/2025 2:50:00 AM
Even as a toddler, I remember playing with a train. In those days food was more important. I had a dream of building a large train track. It remained a dream alas. Lovely poem.
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Evelyn Judy Buehler
Date: 3/15/2025 3:33:00 PM
Thank you so much for your thoughts, Victor. I'm glad this poem held nostalgia for you. All good wishes, Evelyn

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