Kisses in the Train by D.H. Lawrence
The narrative unfolds in a train setting, where the speaker experiences an intense, passionate connection with a woman. As the train moves through the midlands, the external landscape reflects the internal emotional turmoil and ecstasy of the speaker. The imagery of autumn fields and startled sheep contrasts with the intimate, almost primal bond shared between the two characters. The speaker's physical sensations—his mouth on her neck, their hearts beating in sync—emphasize the depth of their connection, suggesting a moment of transcendence amidst the chaos of the world outside. The poem captures the duality of motion: the train's journey symbolizes the passage of time and life, while the intimate encounter represents a moment of stillness and unity. The speaker's heart remains a steady pivot, anchoring him in the midst of swirling emotions and sensations. The repetition of sensory details, such as the scent of her flesh and the pulse of their hearts, reinforces the theme of desire and connection. Ultimately, the work explores the intersection of love, physicality, and the overwhelming nature of human experience, illustrating how profound intimacy can create a sense of stability amidst the chaos of existence.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1913 · Genre: Romance, Epistolary, Non-fiction · 258 words
First lines
I saw the midlands / Revolve through her hair; / The fields of autumn / Stretching bare, / And sheep on the pasture / Tossed back in a scare.
And still as ever / The world went round, / My mouth on her pulsing / Neck was found, / And my breast to her beating / Breast was bound.
But my heart at the centre / Of all, in a swound / Was still as a pivot, / As all the ground / On its prowling orbit / Shifted round.
And still in my nostrils / The scent of her flesh, / And still my wet mouth / Sought her afresh; / And still one pulse / Through the world did thresh.
What this Textopian page supports
Kisses in the Train is listed on Textopian as a poem by D.H. Lawrence, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Epistolary, Non-fiction, Biography, Historical
- Length: 258 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Kisses in the Train by D.H. Lawrence
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Romance — Being a collection of love letters, the book primarily falls under the Romance genre due its central theme of romantic love and relationships.
- Epistolary — The format of the book, a collection of letters, qualifies it as being part of the Epistolary genre.
- Non-fiction — Given that the letters are written by D.H. Lawrence addressing actual personal experiences, the book fits under the Non-fiction genre.
- Biography — The book provides insight into Lawrence's life and relationships, making it fall under the Biography genre.
Tags
romance · train · love · passion · journey · intimacy · relationships · human connection · emotion · travel · adventure · nostalgia