The night mail auden

A classic!

"The Night Mail" is a poem by W.H. Auden, written in 1936. It's a beautiful and evocative piece that captures the essence of the British postal service and the lives of the postal workers who deliver the mail.

Here's the poem:

"The Night Mail"

The mail train, snuffling white, Unloads its freight, in rows of eight, Upright they climb with chattering teeth To morning's count of hail and rain.

The steam's despairing whistle blows As, one by one, the doors unfold And, with a sigh, the passengers Descend to the platform's cold.

The guard, a gruff, red-faced man, With a voice like a rusty gate, Calls out the stations, one by one, As the train rumbles, rattling, late.

The night mail, with its cargo of dreams, Through the dark, the rain, the wind, Through the night, the darkness, the gloom, To the morning, the light, the dawn.

The poem is known for its vivid imagery, its use of sound and rhythm, and its exploration of the themes of work, routine, and the human condition. Auden's writing is masterful, and this poem is a great example of his skill.

Do you have a favorite line or stanza from the poem?