We all looked into our mirrors
as we left Tracy behind
we’d done nothing to upset her
but she had not been very kind
trashed Darwin in her anger
dashed children’s Christmas joys
scattered homes and houses
all the wrapping and the toys
Dawn on The Stuart Highway
the year was bright brand new
we’d toiled with the terrified
done all that we could do
now Sydney was calling
so we set off down The Track
three men, four cars and a trailer
A lady and a parrot in the back
Saving some of what was ours
from a City on its knees
we did as we were bid
the last Official Refugees
good bye to Humpty Doo
Adelaide River and Pine Creek
Katherine gave us the shelter
that exhaustion made us seek
A motley crew of travellers
not the smartest ever seen
two Nissans and a Holden
and a Mini minus a screen
driving on and on
and on and on and on
falling into a bed
when each day was done
We were the stragglers
ten thousand gone before
all helped by the locals
who prayed ‘Not many more!’
but whenever aid was needed
someone offered a hand
generosity to strangers
gave a pride to this Land
Now not the time to be a tourist
then the Devil’s Marbles came into view
we stopped for a while to wonder
about this place we were passing through
its majesty, and its mystery
a host to history, almost palpable
where a People live in Earth’s harmony
sometimes severe, seldom affable
Alice gave us her protection
a day away from invading dust
then back to the bouncing and the boiling
our weary chariots we’d come to trust
more dirt road dreary driving
Coober Pedy came, and it went
no Opals bought from shops below ground
just food and fuel, the money spent
They let us through the Woomera Range
saved more than a hundred miles
as devoid of life as a desert
Christmas meant no Rocket trials!
pulled into a bar near Port Augusta
‘Ice Cold in Alex’ put to the test
but the ‘Men Only’ bar would not serve a lady
in the other she’s ‘inappropriately’ dressed!
Put the setting sun behind us
through night to the coast in the east
Broken Hill Sally Anne gave a make-up bag
lifted the lady as much as a feast
still many a mile to trundle
hit by hard shelled bugs and rain
the Mini gave little shelter
just wet and stinging pain
But the jalopies all made it through
drivers stayed sane, survived
a few minor running repairs
sometimes spirits revived
two thousand and six hundred miles
most on tracks of hard dirt
soon Sydney’s sights and serenity
appeased the fatigue and the hurt
hughlake@yahoo.co.uk 25th/26th April 2021