Judith Wright's "Train Journey" is a beautifully written poem that captures the sense of excitement and anticipation that comes with embarking on a new journey. Through her use of vivid imagery and descriptive language, Wright paints a vivid picture of the journey and the emotions it evokes in the speaker.
The poem begins with the speaker boarding the train, "climbing the iron ladder" and finding their seat. Wright immediately establishes a sense of movement and adventure, as the speaker is embarking on a journey that will take them away from their familiar surroundings.
As the train begins to move, Wright describes the "clatter and roar" of the engine and the "whistle's straining breath," creating a sense of energy and movement. The speaker looks out the window and sees the "trees and farms and roads receding," further emphasizing the sense of distance and change.
As the journey continues, Wright's imagery becomes more and more vivid and evocative. She describes the "golden fields" and the "red earth" of the countryside, creating a sense of the vibrant and varied landscape the speaker is passing through. The speaker also reflects on the people they encounter on the journey, observing the "sleepers' dreaming heads" and the "women knitting in the corners."
Despite the excitement of the journey, Wright also captures a sense of longing and nostalgia in the poem. The speaker reflects on the memories and experiences they have left behind, and the knowledge that they will never be able to return to them in exactly the same way.
Overall, "Train Journey" is a beautifully written poem that captures the excitement and anticipation of embarking on a new journey, as well as the sense of longing and nostalgia that can come with leaving behind familiar places and experiences. Wright's use of vivid imagery and descriptive language helps to bring the journey to life, inviting the reader to experience the journey alongside the speaker.
