Train journeys always provide inspiration for writers as we get to spend time with a bunch of colourful, interesting characters. We can be observers and eavesdroppers; imagining where and why the other passengers are travelling and creating stories for them. I love sitting with my notebook, listening, watching and scribbling. It helps the journey pass quickly too. I am thankful to my fellow travellers for sharing with me such gems.
Here is a poem based on a conversation overheard on a recent train journey (it would have been impossible not to hear it!). It brightened up my trip and made me giggle. Ideally, it needs to be read in a Swansea accent. Warning: it’s a little bit naughty!
Goin’ down Cardiff for the rugby and Linda’s 40th.
Got the T-shirts printed,
lookin’ good girls!
C’mon girls, find a seat, find a seat!
One ‘ere, one ’ere,
one by ’ere, next to me!
Open up them jelly shots, girls.
Get ‘em down yoo!
Have a drink.
Have a jelly shot.
Have a drink, girls!
Oh my God…we got a celeb ‘ere.
Gethin, he is.
We got a celeb ‘ere, girls!
Eastenders!
Quick girls, get down there…
Selfie, selfie.
Get a good’un
for Facebook like.
Don’t mind, do yoo?
He don’t mind.
Gethin he is.
Eastenders!
The teacher, he is…
Do your nails, girls.
Stick ‘em on,
stick ‘em on.
Did mine last night, mind.
Bet they’ll fall off.
‘Ow much make-up yoo got in there?
Good God!
Where yoo sleepin’ tonight?
Top ‘n tailin’ in the
same room.
Share with me,
share with me.
Mind, yoo don’t know what I got in
this ‘ere bag!
Vvvvrrrmmm –
yoo know what I mean!
No, not really like…
left it at home, didn’t I?
Don’t use one, do I?
Don’t need one.
Lucky yoo!
I got a couple of
cucumbers though.
A big one for yoo,
this long!
Come and sit up by us, Gethin.
Oh, c’mon, have a drink.
Have a jelly shot!
Have yoo put that
selfie on Facebook?
With Gethin, selfie with Gethin.
Send it me, send it me!
Gethin, sit by me ‘ere.
Sit by me.
Squish up girls,
gettin’ crowded in ‘ere.
The rugby, see.
Ooh! Squish up!
There’s nice.
Gethin, c’mon, squish up by ’ere love!
Have another jelly shot, girls!
We’ll be fallin’ asleep in the rugby.
God, I need a fag.
Not long now,
not long now, girls.
Them shots it is.
Soon as I have a drink,
I need a fag.
Gettin’ warm in ‘ere, mind.
I’ll be strippin’ off next.
Gethin, I’ll be strippin’ off love.
C’mon girls, have a jelly shot.
Cool us down, like.
Have a cocktail.
I got ‘em, in a tin, like.
Cocktail in a tin.
What in a tin?
No, not a cock in a tin!
Cocktail in a tin.
Better than tinned cock!
Gethin, come by ‘ere.
Have a cocktail, Gethin.
Want a pringle?
Want a pringle, love?
No, a pringle!
I’m starvin’! Should have
made sarnies…
We’ll fill up on cocktails, girls!
My fortieth, right, I’m
doin’ a party.
Butlins.
Brilliant.
That’s class.
I’m havin’ karaoke,
limousine, bubble disco.
That’s a date, that is.
Class.
Date that is, girls!
Gethin, come by ‘ere…
You’ll come to my fortieth, won’t you love?
Butlins, Gethin.
Class.
He’s from Eastenders, he is.
Got a selfie on Facebook.
A celeb.
Are we ‘ere?
Oh my God, I need a wee.
Desperate I am, girls.
Lookin’ forward to this, I am!
I’m free!
No kids.
I don’t get out much, see.