It's A NoNo

[Glen Hughes]

41 - It’s a Nono

I’m standing here drinking
just sipping and thinking
of my day as it slowly took place.
I feel satisfaction
and reveal the attraction
of working to the government’s pace.

It’s six in the morning
and once more the dawning
has brought on the end of the week.
I draw back the curtain
which shows me for certain
the sun is just starting to peek.
The missus, I rush her
then off to the crusher
in a taxi designed for the Japs.
There’s no flamin’ leg room
not to mention the head room,
protected by ETSA crash hats.

I arrive at the crusher
line up at the flusher
and depart with a gallon of beer.
To the roster for inspection
hoping for a rejection
but discovering it’s a Euclid to steer.
So it’s out of the crib room
knowing only that too soon
my body will be shaken to bits.
I bump down that haul road,
to pick up my first load
of Leigh Creeks brown coal from the pits.

I’m standing here drinking
just sipping and thinking
of my day as it slowly took place.
I feel satisfaction
and reveal the attraction
of working to the government’s pace.

Time reaches nine thirty,
I’m blackened and dirty
with coal dust all stuck to my face.
The Billy is boiling,
torque converter is toiling
but I’m told it’s a nono to race.
The mornings gone so slow,
I duck down for smoko,
a refresh and catch-up with mates,
to tidy up loos-ends,
our plans for the weekend,
Friday night, drinking till late.

Now it’s two 58,
and I’m heading down straight,
to Davo, on the 6 twenty 3.
He operates so quick,
just time for a load flick,
then his siren is blasting at me.
So it’s back on the home run,
looks hot in the ‘noon’ sun
but it’s cool enough here in my truck.
There’s no need complaining,
it’s all part of the training,
and it’s one way of making a buck.

I’m standing here drinking,
just sipping and thinking,
of my day as it slowly took place.
I feel satisfaction
and reveal the attraction
of working to the government’s pace.

Glen Hughes ©
6/5/22