Tuesday, 5 August 2003

WALKABOUTSVERSE 14 OF 230

Poem 14 of 230:  NIGHT OR DAY?!

In the far north of Sweden
    (A "Land of the Midnight Sun”),
A strange thing chanced upon me -
    And I’ll tell you, just for fun.

Got off a train late-morning
    (Had to catch same one next day)
And trudged far to the Youth Hostel -
    Paying for a one-night stay.

I spent the afternoon sightseeing,
    Then, after a latish dinner,
Returned to my own small bedroom -
    The comfy bed proving a winner.

For I soon dozed into dreamy sleep -
    Waking what was just two hours hence;
But my watch was an analogue,
    And night or day I couldn’t sense!

I quickly packed all my things
    (My train an hour or thirteen on)
And hurried out the bedroom -
    The bright sky a sneaky con.

I wandered down the road a bit
    (The Hostel office empty),
Before a smiling helpful local
    Did kindly enlighten me.

(C) David Franks 2003

"The far north of Sweden" from the air -
coming into Kiruna Airport; 20/6/2025

"The far north of Sweden" from Kiruna's
(hiked) ski-slope - Luossabacken; 21/6/25

"The far north of Sweden" from the train to
Narvik, near Riksgränsen station; 23/6/25

From Hotel Samegård on Midsummer's Eve,
Kiruna, Sweden; nearly midnight 20/6/2025

From Kiruna train station; 21/6/2025

What was Point North Youth Hostel -
towards Kiruna train station; 20/6/2025

The new Kiruna City Hall & Clock Tower
on Midsummer's Eve, Sweden; 20/6/2025 

Sami Parliament, Kiruna, Sweden; 20/6/25

Sami abode, Kiruana, Sweden; 20/6/2025

Samegården Museum, Kiruna; 22/6/2025

"Far north of Sweden" midges; 21/6/2025

Arctic transport; Kiruna; 21&22/6/2025

Skelleftea Goffklubb: played (late) 12/7/88 -
was most northerly 18-hole course in world,
& still home to a midnight golf tournament