Truckin'

I was looking through some really old writing this morning and found something that reminded me of a hobby I had when I was 15-16. I’d get a Writer’s Market magazine and find weird, hyper-specialized magazines; things like Meat and Poultry Magazine and Walls and Ceiling Magazine. I would write poems and essays to these magazines, pretending to be an enthusiast about whatever the topic was, anticipating how cool it would be to have a binder full of rejections from these freaky publications.*

Last night, I found two poems I wrote when I was 15, for Truckin’ Magazine. The first one is called Truckin’ Man.

Truckin’ Man

My man was sent to prison

For a crime he didn’t do.

He killed a man in an unfair fight

Outside the VFW

He left me with 3 children

And we do the best we can

Waiting here in our mobile home

For our good old truckin’ man

He drove his rig through hell and back

To put food on our table

And I know he’ll do it again one day

Just as soon as he is able

Through rain and desert, drivin’ on

Through winter’s snow and blizzard

I never feared he’d leave me dry

For some truck-stop lot lizard

Yes, through all the days and all the nights

I knew he’d come home again

And I’ll wait for the day that he drives his rig

Through the gates of the Raiford State Pen

I know he hears the call of the road

And will do the best he can

And I’ll love him as a good wife should

‘Cause he’s my truckin’ man

The next one is called Truckin’ Woman. It’s shorter.

Truckin’ Woman

It’s lonely out on this interstate

For a truckin’ woman without a date

It’s hard when it’s late and there’s only me

To talk to on my old CB

It’s sad to think I’m so alone

With only the company of good old George Jones

I wish I had me a man to grab

And pull back here in my rig’s cab

A little lovin’ would be just the thing --

Hey, turn up that radio

I love KD Lang!

*This explains how I eventually ended up on the cover of Country Woman Magazine. The cover, Truckin’ Magazine. Who’s laughing now, eh?