Across a half-drunk pint of cider,Â
and part-ate Welsh cakes on a plate,Â
a wall of photographsÂ
of unknown scenes and unknown people,Â
their halfway lives therein depictedÂ
on partial journeys’ partial aims….Â
Â
In solemn grey there was portrayedÂ
a double decker tram for Mumbles,Â
wires overhead bestowing power,Â
some passengers embarking,Â
last century their style…Â
Â
but like their fashion, gone the tramway,Â
no relics, just a tarmac path,Â
a Summer road-train for the tourists,Â
and cycle path, and weary feet….
Â
lives Snaefell Train on Isle of Man,Â
the fleet on Blackpool promenade,Â
Volk’s Railway working Brighton strand –Â
but Mumbles’ Tram was forced to fade?Â
Â
Their charm too costly for restoring?Â
Not judged as worthy green attraction?Â
Its use not popular desiring?Â
Too strong descendant pathway’s faction?Â
Â
Forever just a photo hungÂ
on wall of the Llanrhidian pub,Â
seen over glass now void of cider,Â
like Welsh cake crumbs upon a plate!
————
Words: Martin Perry
Illustration: Jason O’Brien
First published in Welsh Country Magazine Jul-Aug 2017
