Was it worth keeping the Halt open, <br />We thought as we looked at the sky <br />Red through the spread of the cedar-tree, <br />With the evening train gone by? <br /> <br />Yes, we said, for in summer the anglers use it, <br />Two and sometimes three <br />Will bring their catches of rods and poles and perches <br />To Westbury, home for tea. <br /> <br />There isn't a porter. The platform is made of sleepers. <br />The guard of the last train puts out the light <br />And high over lorries and cattle the Halt unwinking <br />Waits through the Wiltshire night. <br /> <br />O housewife safe in the comprehensive churning <br />Of the Warminster launderette! <br />O husband down at the depot with car in car-park! <br />The Halt is waiting yet. <br /> <br />And when all the horrible roads are finally done for, <br />And there's no more petrol left in the world to burn, <br />Here to the Halt from Salisbury and from Bristol <br />Steam trains will return.<br /><br />John Betjeman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dilton-marsh-halt/
