This rig, a steed, my chariot, with packages alight,
hauling cargo laterally, bi-coastal through the night.

Starting days at loading docks, then hitting open roads,
the hours long and miles covered measured in thousand fold.

By noon I’m passing Vegas, while driving straight and true,
pressing on towards Phoenix then Albuquerque too.

Traversing mountain passes, the Rockies sprinkled white,
on through wheat fields plenty, the desert lands in sight.

Grateful for these vistas wide, and the freedom of this life,
Yet mind full of the total cost, a subtle hidden price.

Now far from home in time and place, my wife’s embrace I miss,
the simple things are worth the most, a hearth, our home, her kiss.

High fuel prices, radar traps, my concentration suffers,
these are the pangs I must abide, being a long haul trucker.

Surging through our nations highways, the life’s blood of our land,
delivering commodities, on time and on demand.

Two days hence the east coast beckons, a final stop alas,
a warehouse and new loading dock, this trip’s soon in the past.

Bills of ladings, signatures, my trailer to disgorge,
A rest, some food and maintenance, can not be ignored.

Now load it up boys, stack it true and mindful of the freight,
good distribution fore and aft , that’s when I’ll leave your gate

A job well done, with hard earned pay, ready for next round,
come sunrise hence I’m on the road, this time homeward bound.

Eric Curry