steeped in dust and dying daylight,
this country forgets how far is not far
until walking becomes waiting
for a bus that never
did come.
we do not live in towns
we stretch between rivers and roadhouses.
a bloke might find work three hours gone
(assuming he’s got wheels) else
he's just a bloke with boots worn out
before payday.
once they saddled their livelihoods—
muscle and hooves, —tethered
to the promise of feed & fence.
now? we ride pistons,
we gallop petrol.
a car isn’t luxury—
it’s your permission to try.
and i— flat broke & half-mad with tomorrow—
need mine as if yesterday were waiting
at the end of the drive.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 11th, 2025 06:20
- Comment from author about the poem: needed a car yesterday, yesteryear getting all the ducks in a row for my own car, it's hard for a cowboy without a steed.... scabbing rides to work ain't fun and ubering is quite dear.... my dear so who's gonna drive me home, tonight? .
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 77
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy, sorenbarrett, Damaso, Tristan Robert Lange, My Boy Ryngkhlem
Offline)
Comments12
great write
thanks so much🕊️🙏🏻
you are most welcome, enjoyed the read
thanks for that Fave @sorenbarrett
I felt this write Cryptic. I've been without a ride. Thumbed when young until one time a guy didn't want to let me out. Finally dropped me further down the road than I was to start with. Have caught buses that came too late, ubered that emptied my pocket and sometime didn't show up, walked till exhausted. This poem is full of great metaphors as well that each one fit like a glove. It smelled of country vast and expansive and the poverty that I've known. It was as familiar as an old pair of worn boots. A fave
Thank you Soren, the old pair of boots have companion blisters and thickened skin 🕊️🙏🏻
Thanks @Cheeky_Missy for the Fave 🕊️🙏🏻
You're welcome, my pleasure. What's personally frustrating is my inability to recommend a working solution since I used the Uber plea in all honesty to get my first car but don't know whom to recommend the speaker to since this is from both another continent as well as a different nation altogether.
Superbly rendered with nigh exquisite imagery and a painfully haunting poignancy. Thank you for sharing.
And now with the news of water run engines no less! Greta wouldn’t mind🙏🏻🕊️
Have wheels will travel, no money, no wheels, have feet will blister, by bus if it ever arrives. The pangs of transport in today's world, just to make a wage. The obstacles of life for a poor honest poet. Down to earth and spot on in four fine stanzas.
Wishing you the best of luck,
Tony.
Thanks Tony, much appreciated as always🕊️🙏🏻
Very enjoyable read, I cant driv anymore but have great local transport, I can appreciate for some it's a nightmare not having a car, nicely written
Thanks for understanding. And yes, with great public transport, life takes on a more productive stance. 🕊️🙏🏻
You are very welcome
'This country' being of course Australia where I don't own a car. But for anyone outside your big cities or even in the outer suburbs four wheels are no luxury, no lifestyle choice - the motor vehicle an absolute necessity.
Problem in a nutshell (poetic nutshell) mate.
Yup... cheats the long and short of it! Cheers DD🕊️🙏🏻
We are indeed dependent on vehicular transport in the world of today, and you describe it incredibly well. Being of a certain age I ponder the day when I will no longer be able to drive, and that's a scary thought. Hope that you get your wheels none too soon. Good write!
Thanks so much, I hope soon as well rather than too little too late 🙏🏻🕊️
I love your form here—the bold first lines anchor each stanza like mile markers, giving the whole piece this subtle forward motion. And the closing hits especially hard…the quiet desperation of needing a way out just to survive. Stark, beautiful, and hauntingly familiar. Brilliant work, my friend. 🌹👏
It got real for a moment there and you picked up on that. 🙏🏻🕊
Indeed. Glad I did, my friend...but that is due to your brilliant writing! Well done!
I know the feeling here.Depending on a car is filled with trouble. They always let you down .A powerful poem with a despairing question.Very honest.
Oh indeed, the number of things that go wrong and the cha-ching at the till that accompanies that can be horrendous. Oh by the way, my first car was bought at a Wakeling car yard. Any relations?
Yes if it was Paul Wakeling Motors in Campbelltown we both had the same great great grandfather but not the same great grandfather.
There thee be! I worked at the Campbelltown dealership for a year and a bit, lol. Strange world. 🥸🙏🏻🕊️
Fine words arqios, I would drive you home but I am a couple of miles away from you.
Andy
That’s just outside the extra mile so it’s all good, Andy; won’t hold you to it🤩🙏🏻🕊️
Hey there, how have you been? Busy with assessments? Good to see you around 🕊️🙏🏻thanks for dropping in👍🏻
Heyyy! It's been so long. I missed you! I'm super excited- life's been amazing lately! I just got into college, and I feel incredibly blessed. How have you been?
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