Murder on the Night Train
Murder on the Night Train - a poem by Hazel Goss
The whistle blew, steam enveloped
the station guard, flag high, waving.
Chuffing slowly, speed developed,
rattling, faster, jerking, swaying.
Soporific, rhythmic lurching
passengers sleeping cosily,
unaware of danger lurking.
The tunnel swallows noisily.
In the sound surge steals the felon.
His knife stabs once, twice, blood spurts red.
The tunnel belches fire, brimstone;
Inside the train the victim’s dead.
With crimson dawn comes journey’s end.
The train’s brake, hisses, movement ceased.
Passengers alight and cleaners ascend.
One screams with shock, seen the deceased.
Police examine the scene of crime,
Move victim to the mortuary.
The felon’s left clues in the grime,
Fingerprints aid the enquiry.
They find his den, caught in a trap,
Admits he killed. Prison awaits.
The judge grimly dons the black cap.
He’ll hang ‘til dead, a fitting fate.
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