W

 

[W]

 

We skipped on skirtings, rushed hardwood seats

man with ear to horses, matchbox wireless

Venetian slats let scenery repeat

Preston, St. Kilda, Footscray, Glen Iris.

 

Corner clang, screeching curve and wobbly bogie

the gabardine crowd stood back to make room,

schoolgirls (gloved), daywear queens, dishevelled fogey

took opposite ends of the green saloon.

 

Double-tugged the cord, time to go, all clear

the conductor cut the ticket with suns,

our tipsy trip to town dreamt no idea

of drunken midnight last depot runs.

 

The trucks all halted and no car dared pass

as Melburnians alighted from their W-Class.