Rails Singing
Train tracks at Västervik railway station.
There’s something entrancing about the sound of trains rattling by. The hypnotic rhythm of the train drawing closer and passing by into a future of its own. Rails singing. The sound of travel.
An hour before dusk I was sitting by the harbour watching the fish come up to the surface to feed. And in Västervik, I found the house that my Swedish grandfather grew up in. Travelling through Småland, passing through the coast, fields, and deep into the woods, past lakes, rivers and meadows. Tints of yellow and rust among the greens.
Arriving on Öland, “solen och vindarnas ö”, the island of the sun and the winds. A ruined castle. Crafters and artists. Traces of a 18th century seaside resort. A spa-town off-season. Windmills. Endless flat plains and long white beaches. Harvest festival and art happening.
Sometimes time is elastic. A short trip packed with impressions expanded my sense of time, leaving me with a feeling of at least twice the time. Heightened senses, just like falling in love.
I saw a magnificent rainbow and I can’t remember when I last saw the Milky Way so clearly, the stars so bright! And yes, I made wishes.
Sailboats and sunset. Borgholm, Öland.
Tags: carpe diem, making wishes, Photography, seize the day, travel
