Waterloo Train Station 1958 Poem by Terry Collett

Shush shush
the steam train
started up.

Lydia and Benny
watched as the last
few passengers
jumped aboard
the train.

The guard
waved a green flag

When shall we go
to the seaside?
she asked.

When we get
enough money
he said.

How much
do we need?
she said.

Don't know
I'll ask at the ticket office
he said.

So they walked
back up
the platform
passed the ticket collector
who had let them
on to the platform
to watch the trains.

Benny went
to the ticket office.

A man with glasses
looked at him
Yes?

How much
does it cost
for two kids
to go to South End?

The man looked at him
then looked at a book.

Lydia stood
patiently
behind Benny.

The man told
Benny the fare
and Benny said
thank you.

They walked
back on to the platform
to watch
the next train come in.

He told Lydia
the amount
of money needed
for the fare.

It'll take us ages
to get that money
she said.

Guess it will
he said.

Ages
she repeated.

Want a glass of milk
and a biscuit
he said.

Sure
she said.

So they walked
to a small cafe
on the railway station
and had milk and biscuit
instead.