FER THE BIRDS

© 1989 by Carol Tallman Jones

I viewed an aged freighter,
as I checked the fence that day,
dressed in bibby overalls and
drivin' a one ton model "A".

He screeched the half-worn brakes
until the truck he finally stopped;
got out and slapped the side rails
with a stick; then in he hopped.

Kickin' up a cloud of dust
he took off again once more,
then stopped a bit on up the road
to re-enact the puzzling chore.

Now, this went on for miles
with my curious 'bout to bust,
but each time we'd almost catch him
me an' Belle were eatin' dust.

Now, the trail ahead made a bend
so I kicked Belle in the ribs,
determined to catch the model "A"
and the freighter in the bibs.

We cut across the ridge...
so this time when he slowed,
me an' Belle were there awaitin'
in the center of the road.

He hopped out in those bibbys,
with his usual stick in hand,
and I took my chance to ask him,
"What the hell you doin', man?"

"I'm haulin' two ton of canaries...
and believe me, it's been tryin'.
This here's just a one ton truck,
so I've gotta keep half of 'em flyin'.

cj

Click the victrola to hear what my niece (when age 9) has to tell you, and then...

Peek through the Western Keyhole

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