My father served in India for many years

I was actually conceived in India

But my parents returned reluctantly

About a month before I was born

As they wanted me to grow up in England

So there it is I have lived in India

But not in an original way

I travelled everywhere with my dear mother

As I did not really have a choice

I have however retained a great love

For the railways of India and beyond

We lived I am told near a railway station

And my mother used to sit near a window

Primarily to cool down but also to watch the trains

She loved the express trains as they screamed

Through the station on horn trying to avoid

The stray and diseased dogs that tended to infest

Such areas in the hope of careless food

She told me stories of people wandering on the tracks

And either being hit or enjoying near misses

Such was the chaos of life in the cities and towns

I have never in my tender years visited India

And at present have no plans to do so

But this is to my loss as I existed there once

In the days before colour memory and song