Homework. The Long Yard
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 1:19 pm
The Long Yard
The brand new day came quickly as the sun rose on the plains
with a silence that would herald in the dawn.
I rolled my swag down slowly and shook the sleep out of my bones
the old dog at my feet let out a yawn.
We'd been on the trail for months now searching out the greenest pick
from the grass that grew along the long yard trail.
Two hundred head I'd saved now from a slow and certain death
it was either that or put them up for sale.
The promised rains had failed again out on our western run
and it quickly brought us all back down to earth.
We had dreamed of better days like some woven fantasy
when in reality we wondered "What's it worth ?"
For twenty years we'd struggled, barely scratching out a crust
from the land that gave us nothing in return.
Like some barren desert island it lay baking in the sun
and it quickly saw our hopes and dreams all burn.
There was nothing left at home now not a single head of stock
this herd was all I'd managed to retain.
All those hopes and dreams we'd had were held within this mob
and I would not let fate flush them down the drain.
My wife had left two years ago and with her took the kids
to her the city seemed a safer place to be.
She told me I was dreaming with my head stuck in the clouds
I would prove them all wrong just you wait and see.
So I saddled up the horses packed all my gear away
grabbed my hat and set out on the dusty trail.
There were clouds on the horizon with just a hint of rain
with never ending hope how could I fail.
Bob Pacey (c)
The brand new day came quickly as the sun rose on the plains
with a silence that would herald in the dawn.
I rolled my swag down slowly and shook the sleep out of my bones
the old dog at my feet let out a yawn.
We'd been on the trail for months now searching out the greenest pick
from the grass that grew along the long yard trail.
Two hundred head I'd saved now from a slow and certain death
it was either that or put them up for sale.
The promised rains had failed again out on our western run
and it quickly brought us all back down to earth.
We had dreamed of better days like some woven fantasy
when in reality we wondered "What's it worth ?"
For twenty years we'd struggled, barely scratching out a crust
from the land that gave us nothing in return.
Like some barren desert island it lay baking in the sun
and it quickly saw our hopes and dreams all burn.
There was nothing left at home now not a single head of stock
this herd was all I'd managed to retain.
All those hopes and dreams we'd had were held within this mob
and I would not let fate flush them down the drain.
My wife had left two years ago and with her took the kids
to her the city seemed a safer place to be.
She told me I was dreaming with my head stuck in the clouds
I would prove them all wrong just you wait and see.
So I saddled up the horses packed all my gear away
grabbed my hat and set out on the dusty trail.
There were clouds on the horizon with just a hint of rain
with never ending hope how could I fail.
Bob Pacey (c)
