Poem written while waiting for a train at a provincial railway station

Selected poems

If I Could Have My Time Over

If I could have my time over,
I would do it all differently
and not treat each precious moment
with such disregard and flippancy.

I would use my time effectively,
I would think ahead and plan.
I would reserve my stores of energy,
and take charge when I can.

But it’s too late in the journey
for regret, too late to repent –
because there’s not a socket in sight,
and my battery’s on one per ce

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3 thoughts on “Poem written while waiting for a train at a provincial railway station”

  3. chouse1a's avatar

    Brilliant as ever, Brian. I’ve been there…

    I’ve also been here:

    Note to Shelf

    The missus sent me shopping

    She said I’d better hurry

    The shops are always running out

    I told her not to worry

    I looked down at the list she’d made

    Some fresh herbs for the chowder

    The only other item was

    A box of washing powder

    I set off with my plastic bag

    Though why she thought it urgent

    Was more than I could fathom

    What? Some herbs and some detergent?

    So when I passed the local pub

    And saw its door ajar

    I thought a quick one couldn’t hurt

    And went up to the bar.

    But when I made it to the shop

    Its stocks were almost gone

    I realised to late that thyme

    And Tide wait for no-one.

    Iain M Spardagus

    19 March 2026

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