From Mansfield to Benalla (The Suburbs)

[Stephen Whiteside]

From Mansfield to Benalla (The Suburbs)

From Mansfield to Benalla was a freeway once, I'm told,
Where vehicles for every sort of purpose hummed and rolled;
An artery of racing steel, connecting limb to limb.
The old folk now recall it as a waste land, grey and grim.

From Mansfield to Benalla? It's for me extremely hard
Imagining that once the ground was rendered flat and tarred,
For now it's buildings, cheek by jowl - and some say more's the pity -
For Mansfield and Benalla are just suburbs of a city;

"Mansfield" and "Benalla" - such a quaint, historic ring.
I'm told they once were towns themselves. I scarce believe that thing!
Now, of course, we all fly high as back and forth we scurry.
There's nought but people, packed in tight, from Melbourne to the Murray.

From Mansfield to Benalla is a ninety second blip.
I'm told that long ago it was a long and painful trip.
How glad I am those days are gone - and soon we'll teleport.
From Mansfield to Benalla will be instant - as it ought!

© Stephen Whiteside 13.06.2016

[Shelley Hansen]

Ditto

[Stephen Whiteside]

Ditto.