The charge of the Light Brigade

[Maureen K Clifford]

The charge of the Light Brigade




I was sitting at the traffic lights as I do every morning
idly gazing round, just waiting for the red light to turn green.
Three lanes of traffic, one turns left the other two go forward
all the drivers waiting, eager, revved up, hot to trot and mean.

Lights turn green, we’re off and revving, you can hear those pistons try.
Diesels pumping, smoke stacks blowing, as a big rig takes the strain.
Got to be quick off the mark, can’t let that other Ute go by.
It’s the early morning music known as Ute and Truck refrain.

There are Utes and 4 wheel drives, taxi trucks filled up with tyres.
Some with trailers full of work gear, plastic pipes and rubber boots.
One with rakes and brooms and mowers, whipper snippers and leaf blowers
Another carrying sheets of glass says “if passing give a toot”

There’s a sparky and a plumber, a cute guy driving a Hummer,
a Sims metal truck with trailer filled with badly mangled steel.
There’s a bloke who must like fishing. He has rod racks and he’s wishing
that come Christmas Santa brings him a brand new Alvey reel.

A flash Pajero and a trailer with a sign that says “I’ll save you”
and you think ‘a Bible basher’ come to lead you from the fog.
Until you look a little closer and realize that he’s kosher.
What he’s saving is your time, for he’s there to wash the dog.

There’s a Ute that’s old and rusty, and another one that’s dusty.
A red Ford sporting a dent - looks like he backed into a pole.
Next to me a diesels pumping and behind a radio thumping
out the latest rap from some punk with no rhythm, and less soul.

It’s the early morning charge of the Ute and Truck brigade.
All male muscle and machismo and adrenalin on show.
Few sedans at this hour showing, its blue collar workers going
through the morning’s early daylight, as it’s off to work they go.


Maureen Clifford ©

[Vic Jefferies]

Wonderful poem Maureen. I too sit and survey the traffic when stopped at the lights and you have captured it all.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Ah, a list poem! I love list poems! Well done, Maureen. Great work.

[Bob Pacey]

That's why I hate the city. We now have three sets of lights and they cause more hassles then help.

Oh Maussie it's Alvey for the reel unless your are wearing blue suede shoes as well.


Wish I had thought of that one.

Another goodie Maureen.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thanks Bob - I don't fish but I do vote Fixed it...feel free to use it if you want to.

Thank you Vic and Stephen - I love lists. It is the satisfaction of ticking off the things you have done.

[Neville Briggs]

That's well written Maureen,

unfortunately I don't enjoy driving and I find the traffic to be a painful drudgery and symbolic of things that oppress us in modern life. You said you were becoming a grumpy old woman when I have to suffer the arduous trial of driving in the traffic, I become a grumpy old man.

[Heather]

Don't be grumpy. Catch the train!

[Bob Pacey]

Always reminds me of that christmas song

Tis the season to feel Jolly.

So long as Jolly is ok with that !!!! Bom Bom

Bob