Poem 134 of 230: RAWTENSTALL – SPRING 2001
A whistle’s “we are off” scream,
Plus the sight and sound of steam
Against a stone tunnel-wall,
On the track to Rawtenstall.
High up from where I now dwell,
A much narrower Irwell
Flows past Rawtenstall’s station –
Making its own Bury run.
Turning to view a wide ridge,
I walked to Weavers’ Cottage,
Whose staff enlightened me on
How wool was spun and woven.
Climbing past strong stone-houses,
I found the slope for skiers,
And the place for which I’d come –
Rossendale Museum.
Set within Whitaker Park,
This museum holds fine-art,
Old furniture and fashion,
Plus a species collection.
Again with stops for the sights,
I stepped down Rawtenstall’s heights
To where track and river wed –
The train ready with a head…
(C) David Franks 2003 – https://walkaboutsverse.blogspot.com
