While waiting in line to get an open loading dock to back into, I was pondering all of the wasted time we experience in this industry, all while the dreaded 14-hour clock keeps ticking. That led to thoughts of the lines we wait in, just to get something productive done, which further led to a consideration of the various lines we encounter on a daily or minute-by-minute basis. Fortunately, the line I waited in for a door didn’t take very long. But, in the ten minutes or so that I waited, I was inspired to write this poem about… you guessed it… lines! I hope you enjoy this poem, and if you find yourself attending the ATHS truck show in Brooks, Oregon later this month (August 22), please be sure to find me and my wife, Alicia, or one of the 10-4 Magazine crew, and introduce yourself. Say “hello” and shoot the breeze with us. We hope to see ya there!
LINES
By Trevor Hardwick
There are lines upon the highway, with power lines above,
Lines within our hearts, we draw, and lines we cross for love.
There’s a line there at the fuel desk, and lines out at the pump,
Lines along your frame, to let your air suspension dump.
There are lines to get unloaded, and lines to get checked in,
Lines out at the chicken coop, to weigh your rig again.
There are lines we have to stop at, and lines we get to roll,
Lines to place your signature, and lines to pay a toll.
There are lines to park between, and lines where you can’t park,
Lines to help you find your way, in fog or in the dark.
There are lines across my pretty face, from squinting in the sun,
Lines from smiling all these years, for having so much fun.
We roll our big Freightliners, or pull for some Freight Line,
But our free and wild spirits, just won’t let us fall in line.
All these lines have prompted me, to read between the lines,
Lines are like a mile marker, representing time.
So line up and be counted, and let your beauty shine,
Tell someone you love them, while you’ve got ‘em on the line.
Now head out on the highway, and let that diesel whine,
But before you put that thing in gear, be sure to draw a line!