Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Somewhere Along the Line" by Simon Armitage is a poignant poem that captures a brief, emotionally charged moment between two individuals at a train station. The poem opens with the speaker meeting someone for an apology. This meeting takes place in a rather mundane and dreary setting, emphasized by the "drizzle" and the "slow train." The atmosphere is reflective of the melancholic mood of the encounter.

The farewell is marked by a kiss, which is a significant gesture, as it seems to symbolize both an end and a remembrance of what once was. The moment is intensified when the person the speaker is with runs across the bridge to the other platform, an act driven by a desire to prolong their farewell and maintain a visual connection for as long as possible.

This desire for connection is abruptly interrupted by the passing of another train, the "eastbound Leeds train." The train acts as a metaphor for the forces of life and time that move relentlessly forward, indifferent to individual emotions or desires. The person's image is fragmented and flickered through the train's windows, creating a powerful visual metaphor for the way memories are stored - fragmented, fleeting, and often distorted by time and perspective.

The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on these "animated moments" as symbolic of the changes and missed opportunities in their relationship. There's a sense of regret and longing in these lines, as if the speaker is pondering on what might have been if circumstances were different.

Overall, "Somewhere Along the Line" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores themes of time, memory, loss, and the fleeting nature of human connections. Armitage's use of imagery and the train station setting effectively conveys the transitory nature of relationships and the inevitable passage of time that alters our experiences and perceptions.