A light-hearted poem about an Aussie country family's once a month shopping excursion in the 1950's. Commended by The Redlands Bush Poets Society of Queensland (1998)

Thirty miles to town on that long bumpy track,
Our '48 Chevvy's a reliable hack.
Dad's big hands holding the wheel,
Knuckles all white with their grip like steel.
Dodging the rocks and bone-shuddering ruts,
There's a squeakin', a rattlin' and loosening of nuts.

The old truck's no luxury means of travel,
But the miles her wheels will surely unravel.
Once used bya milko, she's got no doors,
Just flaps of canvas - no carpeted floors.
'Tis a hard ride to replenish the stores,
With kids on the back, their bottoms quite sore.

Thirty miles from Foxlow for a once-a-month treat,
To the Queanbeyan shops along the main street.
Dad's off to the pub for a beer or two,
Mum and the kids do the shopping, it's quite a "to do!"
On Saturday the shops are open until noon,
There's a lot to be done. Times gone quite soon.

The truck's loaded up with the kids sucking on sweets,
While dad staggers slightly along the main street.
He climbs in the front. The old engine roars to life.
It's off down the road, but they're headed for strife.
Ten miles from town they charge down a long hill,
The bend at the bottom proves more than a thrill.

The old Chevvy slews sideways. Wheels losing their grip.
She rolls down the bank and into a dip.
Groceries, kids and lollies all fly through space,
Tumbling over and over at a frightening pace!
In a cloud of dust and steam it all finally stops,
With wheels facing skyward at the end of the drop.

Mum's got a black eye. Dad's pride's been hurt,
The kids are alright. They're just covered in dirt!
As for the old Chevvy? She's seen the last of her days,
They wait for the tow truck, their minds in a haze,
At last the old truck's hoisted back on her wheels,
Taken by the wrecker with whom dad then deals.

With a '36 Ford sedan the old truck was replaced,
Although old, she's faithful. They were never disgraced.
For a few moments of indulgence dad paid a high price,
Kids now ride on real seats and the comfort is nice.
As for mum, when they asked her about her black eye?
"Walked into a door!" was her standard reply.