ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The Good Old Days

Forgotten now, and out of sight from blokes like me who know,
an old time Coach that once had been the pride of Cob and Co.
The sight of it was all it took to set my mind ablaze,
with memories of long-lost youth, back in the good old days.

A sense of sadness touched me as I viewed that old coach there,
abandoned left to slowly rot from lack of proper care.
For once this coach had shown the way from towns to far outback,
it seems now just like yesterday it rode each dusty track.

When coaches just like this had served Australia’s growing needs,
across the spreading vastness, hauled by grand old working steeds.
They followed every man-made track to reach each far-flung town,
through harsh and barren country and yet nothing slowed them down.

Excitement then was in the air and all along the way,
as coaches just like this had brought the mail through night and day.
They saw the roaring days of gold and served the miners well,
and I had ridden in them too - what stories I could tell -

About the shanties and the Inns where horses were replaced,
you’d have a cup of tea there if you didn’t mind the taste.
Then off again no time to spare; a schedule we must keep,
and it was rough as hell to ride with little chance of sleep.

The passengers a hardy lot and even some knew fame,
yet blokes like me or upper class were treated just the same.
All covered there in dust and freezing, as we hurried on,
yet still I miss those special days, I’m saddened that they’re gone

But nothing last forever as my mind now clears once more,
reluctantly returning from those day of long before.
Yet still my heart is singing though I’m fighting back a tear,
with memories about the days, I always will hold dear.

©T E Piggott

Well done Terry, you have been able to weave together a picture of all the sights and experiences of the old coaching days. My grandmother used to tell me how she travelled on her honeymoon in a Cobb & Co coach from Bathurst to Lithgow.

Thanks Neville
Wouldn't it be great to hear about your Grandmothers Cob & Co Honey journey all those years ago, again now,
I wonder what she would think of the times we live in today?

Writing this was a bit like your last one trying to avoid plagiarizing some of the old time stuff.
Those old blokes pinched all the best lines didn't they.

Terry

Oh, well done Terry! You conjure up the sights, sounds and smells of those journeys and create a clear and poignant memory of the way things were. A wonderful poem!

Good on ya Terry, you've captured the mood of the rough journey in those old coaches, cold and dusty indeed and quite uncomfortable from all accounts - driven by tough men, pulled by tough horses and they always got through. We are lucky that some remain for our young ones to see how it was in the 'olden days'. My ex drove (for a short distance) the Cobb and Co coach on its commemorative Yuleba to Surat run a few years back.

Thanks Catherine and Maureen.

The photo certainly invited us to wander off mentally into how we imagine things used to be.
It's a pity those old poets had already pinched most of the good lines of that era.

Terry

Love it, Terry! Definitely has your trademark on it, this one!

I especially like the bit about the cup of tea - made me think of many odd-tasting brews we've had on our travels, with bore water, town water, and tank water that makes you wonder if you boiled a frog!!

Thanks Shelley
I have always hated most bore water but had to put up with it more times than I would have liked.

Speaking of the poem - I'm probably getting to be a bit too predictable these days.

Terry