A couple of poems written by truckers

[Tobin S.]

For those of you not familiar with trucker slang, truckers sometimes refer to their wives as "mama." I got choked up when I read the first poem, and I don't get choked up easily. Truckers know lots of sad stories, and if you guys read my Stories From the Road stories you probably already know that.

The Road

by Jon Yeager
(For my wife)

The road has left too many
blank spots on my mind

Your smile, your kiss,
your touch in the night,
are almost hazy recollections
of better times

Another mile goes by
and with it another piece of my memory

Life is going by
and with it, no new memories

My dreams are only broken bits of things
I wish I'd made time to do

The white lines on the highway
stretch together behind me,
like blurry footprints of my life

I love what I do,
I'm good at what I do
but I often wish I'd chosen a different road

The road has left too many
blank spots on my mind

I love you, I miss you
I can't wait to be home
With you




On The Road

by Louise Horn

As I stare out my window
At the cars breezing past
The white lines come quickly
The trees go by fast

I go by the exits
There's no time to stop
Albuquerque by mornin'
To make my first drop

Sometimes I miss Mama
And her smiling face
I'll be back home shortly
To her warm embrace

She need not be worried
I won't be gone long
I know where my heart is
And where I belong

So good night sweet darlin'
Let my words hold you tight
May God keep you till I get there
To kiss you good night

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Tobin S...

Ah, these are so poignant...

I found the second one especially moving...

They both show a point of view that I had not considered...

Thanks so much for posting these!

:hug:

[Tobin S.]

2. You're welcome

I found them in a trade magazine that publishes short stories and poems written by truckers. You can bet I'm going to make a submission. I don't know which story yet, though. Are there any that particularly stand out in your mind?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. That sounds like a great idea!

Wow, which story? That's a tough one.

Maybe the one about the woman who was down on her luck and this was sort of her last chance? Am I remembering this correctly?

I know if I were submitting to that magazine, I'd look for a story that has a twist that you don't anticipate.

Good luck, and do let us know how it goes!

:hug:

[GaYellowDawg]

4. And then there's the haiku...

I hesitate to
Use my brakes and will get an
Inch off your bumper.

[Tobin S.]

5. To be fair, a lot of car drivers do that, too

It's just scarier when we do it. :)

Personally, I keep my distance. I'll also move over for you if I can when you are trying to merge onto the highway. O8)

[nuxvomica]

6. "Life is going by / and with it, no new memories"

It's more poignant within the context of a truck driver's life but that's something I think everyone feels. It seems to me that that type of life is fertile ground for poetry, especially considering how potent an American symbol the highway is.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. nicely done, both of them.

[auntAgonist]

8. thanks!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I can SO relate.

aA

[Haole Girl]

9. Wow

That first one...what a perfect description of being on the road, missing home, and thinking about one's life.