I’ve been writing poems and submitting artwork to 10-4 Magazine for a little while now, and I must say a heartfelt thank you to the 10-4 crew for making me always feel so welcomed and included in the “family”. And although we don’t have the opportunities to get together very often, I still feel very close with those who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person and I look forward to meeting others whenever the opportunity arises. There are so many entertaining, talented and informative contributors and advertisers that I haven’t had the chance to meet, but I hope to soon. One person I hope to meet is a young woman who I’m hearing such great things about by the name of Ciara Sleeth. Affectionately known by many as ShortStack, rumors of her love for trucks and her impressive talent with a camera have reached all the way from the east coast to the west coast – and beyond! In honor of her 17th birthday, and in appreciation of her artistic love for trucks, which I happen to share, I wrote the following poem. I hope everyone can enjoy it, but when you finish reading it, go back through and pay special attention to the FIRST letter of each line, then put them all together, in order from top to bottom. If that makes you smile or laugh, please go back again and pay even closer attention to the LAST letter in each line, putting them in order again from top to bottom! Happy birthday Ciara “ShortStack” Sleeth!!
THE SHORTSTACK SPECIAL
By Trevor Hardwick
Can’t make you rich, but I’ll make you famous
Images inspire all the words they’re worth
Anything from Peterbilt, to Diamond Reo
Right here on my lens, I make emotions stir
Always on the lookout, for the perfect subject
Snappin’ shots of semi’s, makin’ brouhaha’s
Life behind the wheel, I feel, is picture perfect
Every rig deserves a little “ooh-la-la”
Eighteen wheeler’s, everywhere, are photogenic
Trucks could tell a story, if they’d only speak
Highways have a lure about them, so authentic
Some folks even call them “bon ami”
Happiness is holding onto my new camera
Observing truckers, traveling near and far
Realizing images, in panorama
Taking shots of beauty, brawn and scars
So roll me down the highway, ‘til I get my fill
Take me in a Kenworth, or a Pete
And don’t forget to take me out to Louisville
Cause that is where my friends and I will meet
Knowing dreams are never out of reach