So Many Roadside Epitaphs.

For sharing of original song lyrics, together with haiku, sonnets and other unusual poetry forms. Although not strictly bush poetry, we welcome the sharing of members' compositions in these three genres, with a view to inclusiveness and mutual encouragement. Open to all Registered Forum Users. See Board Index for separate section on free verse and non-rhyming poetry.
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thestoryteller
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Location: Bargara, Queensland.
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So Many Roadside Epitaphs.

Post by thestoryteller » Thu Jan 05, 2017 2:07 pm

SO MANY ROADSIDE EPTITAHS

Have you ever felt the freedom that just goes down hand in hand,
when you venture long the hi-ways and the bi-ways of this land?
There’s the beauty of our coastlines and the vastness of the plains;
all the magic of the outback and those rugged mountain chains.

But I sense for some this freedom mate; it comes at such a cost,
as the easements of our roadways show that many souls are lost.
All the endless names of loved ones etched in black bear witness to
all the heartache and the trauma that some families go through.

How so many roadside epitaphs cry out to you and me,
that the freedom we all yearn for can exact a gruesome fee.
Don’t ignore the chant, just listen, so that no soul died in vain
and their constant plea may save you and your loved ones all the pain.

All the names that flash before me on the backgrounds painted white,
stay like snapshots in an album and are such a haunting sight.
Then I’m constantly reminded that they all had played a role
and were precious sons or daughters and each one a living soul.

Too perhaps some grieving fam’ly they have lost their mum and dad
or their grandma or granddad and I find that kind of sad.
So when passing by these sentinels I’m forced now to reflect
on the gift of life God gave us and to treat it with respect.

How so many roadside epitaphs cry out to you and me,
that the freedom we all yearn for can exact a gruesome fee.
Don’t ignore the chant, just listen, so that no soul died in vain
and their constant plea may save you and your loved ones all the pain.

© Bush Poet and Ballad Writer -Merv Webster

From the CD The Storyteller.

My daughter Amanda and her husband were living and working on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays and had purchased a boat down south and I gave her a hand to tow it from Brisbane to Airlie Beach. Over the years I had been accustomed to seeing white crosses on the side of the road, where folk sadly lost their lives, but it was seeing the names written in black that really brought home that they had been loved ones of various families. There were so many roadsides epitaphs and it inspired me to write the song.

It was a finalist in the 2007 Lyrics Only section of the Tamworth Songwriters’ Association Song Writing Awards and recorded on the “Storyteller” album in 2008.
Some days your the pidgeon and other days the statue.

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Shelley Hansen
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Location: Maryborough, Queensland
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Re: So Many Roadside Epitaphs.

Post by Shelley Hansen » Mon Jan 09, 2017 3:36 pm

Sad indeed, Merv. Sometimes you look at the locations of these epitaphs as you pass, and wonder why that particular spot claimed a life.

Congratulations on your success with the poem.

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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thestoryteller
Posts: 625
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:02 pm
Location: Bargara, Queensland.
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Re: So Many Roadside Epitaphs.

Post by thestoryteller » Mon Jan 09, 2017 7:10 pm

Sadly we lose to many loved ones on the roads.


Appreciate your sharing it.


Merv.
Some days your the pidgeon and other days the statue.

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