Leaving Violet Town

The boy sits alone
while the carriage fills
around him. It’s a V-line,
a long haul, thundering
into morning.

Barely legible,
a chipped sign fades
and Violet Town falls away.

He retreats to a paperback
kingdom, while oblivious
wheels devour miles.
Sometimes his eyes rise
to watch the landscape
grind from here to there.

Halogen holds the night
at bay as a voiceover calls
passengers awake.

At journey’s end,
crisp air whispers
possibility. Behind him,
doors hiss shut. Ahead,
a turnstile beckons.

Ryan Stone

First published in Writers’ Forum Magazine issue 159, December 2014

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44 thoughts on “Leaving Violet Town”

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  4. Ryan, there is something quite magical about being completely captivated by words, as I shared with you this poem did just that. “Leaving Violet Town” tumbled around in my head since the first reading last night, this morning is no different, magic! Truly wonderful the way you have captured the essence of life’s journey and the unknown direction of fate. I’ve enjoyed the visual imagery that your words have painted throughout, especially the following stanza,

    “Barely legible,
    a chipped sign fades
    and Violet Town falls away.”

    This is such a touching and beautiful poem. Thank you, a pleasure to read and reread. Please have a wonderful day.
    ~ Mia

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    1. And what do I say after feedback like that, Mia? What an incredibly thoughtful comment to leave. It means so much to know that a poem has been appreciated and enjoyed and I truly can’t thank you enough for your kindness. Each time I hit the post button, I worry about how a piece of writing will be received. Reading such a lovely response makes it all worthwhile. Thank you for starting my day off in such a fantastic way 😌

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  10. Reminds me so much of my long(seemingly forever) train trips to the country side down to the Western District, oh so many years ago. Actually catching the train to Melbourne tomorrow(Sat) to watch my niece singing in a BK Opera production of “La Traviata”, at 75 Reid St Auditorium, Fitzroy North, 7.30pm start. … hehe … free plug for my niece…..

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  13. Dear Ryan, “Leaving Violet Town” is just as moving as it was when I read it almost a year ago. There’s a lovely bittersweet quality of leaving that’s capture so beautiful in your poem. Your words certainly didn’t fade, in fact they’re becoming richer with age. Have a good week ahead, you’re truly a brilliant wordsmith. ~ Mia

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    1. Heya, Mia! Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts a second time around. You’re too kind. I’ve been writing a lot of flash but have no new poems so I had to rehash an old one. Pretty sad really 😜 Thank you, I hope your week brings you some sunshine as well. Take care, my friend.

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  14. Great poem of this boy, awaiting new journeys and experiences. Again I love the painting, there’s a dreaminess to your style. An impressionistic Quality,,but also different b/c you look at it once and upfront there’s These nearly exact details but they fade out into a dreamy background, that’s better scene from a distance, I think. The balance btw detail and those dreamy brush strokes kind of make ones eyes cross, but in a good way. Keep painting you’re awesome. Have you done this a long tim, or is it a new hobby/ business venture?

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    1. Hello again, my friend. Thank you for your nice comments. I mentioned it in another reply that I doubt you’ve had time to read yet – I do all my art on my iPad. This one started off as a photo I took on my iPhone. There are some amazing painting apps out there if you have the time/desire to play around and learn how to use them. Thanks for being so sweet 🙂

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  15. My! This felt in imagery like scenes from an old projected movie, I could almost hear the clacking of one still after another as one verse gave way to another. Beautiful! The title is inviting, no pun intended!

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