Back to: Punjab Board Class 7th English Guide and Notes
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Trains poem composed by James S. Tippett is a beautiful piece in which is about a small child who is fascinated by passing trains. When he sees their shape, speed, lights, and restlessness, he is overcome with awe. He wonders how trains transport passengers during the day. He is very much impressed that without fail the train carries the mail during the night, across mountains, plains, and rivers.
About the poet
Writer and educator James Sterling Tippett was born in Memphis, Missouri in 1885. He was a respected public-school teacher, principal, and school superintendent, eventually becoming a visiting lecturer at the University of North Carolina from 1939 to 1958. In 1927 he began writing books for children that recaptured his childhood days on a Missouri farm and other childhood experiences. He died in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1958.
Theme
The poet attempts to communicate effectively that life is a journey in which one feels both delighted and sad.
Stanza 1
Over the mountains, Over the plains, Over the rivers, Here come the trains.
The poet says that the trains travel all over the globe. They can cross any obstacles be it mountains, rivers, or plains, it doesn’t stop them from doing their job
Stanza 2
Carrying passengers, Carrying mail, Bringing their precious loads Without fail.
The poet then says that the train can carry any weight be it precious goods or human beings or even as light as mail but it does its work without any failure.
Stanza 3
Thousands of freight cars All rushing on Through day and darkness, Through dusk and dawn.
In the third stanza, the poet says that there are thousands of such vehicles and all are in hurry. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night or morning or evening, it keeps going on.
Stanza 4
Over the mountains, Over the plains, Over the rivers, Here come the trains.
The poet then repeats the first stanza to conclude the poem. The train can travel over the mountain, across the river, and on the plain.
