Can't Be Told

[Glen Hughes]

48 - Can’t be Told

Experience is invaluable,
wisdom comes with age,
a life time full of memories
to pass on page by page.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,
advice to young and old,
lessons learned by mistakes
but some just can’t be told.

Young, fit and passionate,
so much to be learned,
exuberance and impatience,
can get your fingers burned.
The thrill is in the moment,
keep your focus, work it out,
the end is just so far away
and never talked about.

Hours and days of practice,
cars parked in the shed,
driving hard, changing gears,
with nothing left unsaid.
Our fathers had two road-bikes,
500 BSA’s
too heavy to kick over,
we tried so many ways.

At last we got one started,
it took us several years,
the thrill was undeniable,
with grins from ear to ear.
No concern for danger,
never a hint of fear,
the bikes were sold in earnest
but the reasons never clear.

Schooling done, home to work,
mini mokes’ to drive,
country rough, mustering tough,
our bike dreams still alive.
Proposal put to management,
work bikes on the table,
all the facts of why we should,
and while still young and able.

Meeting called, terms agreed,
commitment underway,
mind and body tested,
endurance night and day.
Freezing through the winter,
beanies gloves and coat,
summer time, cooked to death,
discussion up for vote.

Quicker than a mini moke,
faster than a horse,
mustering done in half the time,
a promise to endorse.
Exposure to the elements,
bodies under stress,
wear and tear in question,
with our backs a bloody mess.

Experience is invaluable,
wisdom comes with age,
a life time full of memories,
to pass on page by page.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,
advice to young and old.
lessons learned by mistakes,
but some just can’t be told.

Glen Hughes ©
15/5/22