ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The Highways Call

© Neddy

Along this nations roads I ride, of miles I’ve had my fill,
The hours that see me travellin’ hard, the few that see me still,
My Fathers own, this country shown, when I was only young,
Now all alone I hear this lands seductive rhythm sung.

How years have flown before me, soul aching for the road,
Now fire and steel entice these wheels to move another load,
The white line on the road afar presents a ghostly haze,
And tyres howl resistance as the skyline takes my gaze.

Trailers move and throw their weight and fight against the road,
Groaning discontentment as they’re forced to haul the load,
A million miles and memories I hold within my hand,
Burning with desire to be at one within this land.

For minutes have no meaning here, and night turns into day,
A gripping sense of solitude as hours pass away,
Dusty brown tormented fields lie dry beneath the sun,
And lifeless cattle fill the creeks where waters once had run.

Twenty years of pain and tears with laughter in between,
Enormous cost of time I’ve lost and tragedies I’ve seen,
Yet still the highway calls me, promising to mend,
The heartache that defeats me, deceiving to the end.

I like it. Good one, Neddy. I think it brings out the experience of trucking life ( unknown to me ) into what looks to me as a ballad rhythm, neatly written.

Yeah good one mate, but you have just electronically published it......with no copyright and author's name attached. Good way to have your work pinched/pirated. Just a strong word of caution.

Well written Neddy. A strong visual image. Never been a truck driver but used to do 90000 klms a year as a supervisor so can relate to the highway scene.

Do a quick edit as Keats said and put a ( C ) symbol and your name on it just to be safe.


Cheers Bob

That's a well written poem Neddy with a great sense of yearning, searching, of pain and of a lost soul.

Go well Neddy,

Heather

Excellent Neddy - you've captured the spirit of the open road here without a doubt.

To put in your © just use the alt key and key in 0169 - that'll do it for you

Cheers

Maureen

That's a ripper, Neddy - there's a coupla old(ish) truckies on this forum - MadMick and Dave JD - who'd agree I reckon. Good stuff and great to hear from ya.

Cheers, Marty

ps. I think only ABPA members have access to edit function. Get one of them layabout moderator drones to stick a (c) on it if you care any.

Thankyou all for the comments. I'll add the C next time.
I do know of MadMick through a friend. I've heard many a story about his career as an interstate driver. If even some of it is true his talent behind the wheel is something quite legendary.
Neddy.

That really is a good one Neddy,
I look forward to reading more of yours in the future.

Terry

G'day Neddy,

Somehow this post slipped past me. I apologise for that. Welcome to the site. You will find we are a mixed bunch with varied styles and opinions. If you wish to recieve some critique of your work, just ask and we will give it to you. Probably we will give you some anyway.
On reading your poem I would guess this is not your first attempt at writing. In a way, the truck drivers are our generations drovers, moving goods from one place to the next. It is a natural progression that you have taken some poetry from the lonely life of a long distance driver. Not a bad effort at all. We would like to know some more about you. Please introduce yourself in the appropriate section. Thank you for sharing your poem with us.