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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
POST-HOLE MICK, by G. M. SMITH First Line: A short time back while over in vic Last Line: I'm afraid he'll arrive at one of the poles. Alternate Author Name(s): Grey, Steele Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers | |||
A SHORT time back while over in Vic. I met with a chap called Post-Hole Mick; He was a raw-boned, loose-built son of a paddy And at putting down post-holes he was the daddy. And wherever you'd meet him, near or far, He had always his long-handled shovel and bar I suppose you all know what I mean by a bar Is a lump of wrought-iron the shape of a spar With one chisel-end for digging the ground And average weight about twenty pound. Mick worked for the cockies around Geelong, For a time they kept him going strong. He would sink them a hundred holes for a bob, And, of course, soon worked himself out of a job. But when post-hole sinking got scarce for Mick He greased his brogues and cut his stick. And one fine day he left Geelong And took his shovel and bar along. He took to the track in search of work, And struck due north, en route to Bourke. It seems he had been some time on tramp When one day he struck a fencers camp. The contractor there was wanting a hand, As post-hole sinkers were in demand. He showed him the line and put him on, But while he looked round, shure Mick was gone There were the holes, but where was the man? Then his eye along the line he ran. He'd already put down about ninety-nine, And at the rate of a hunt he was running the line. He had a few sinkers he thought was quick Till the day he engaged with Post-Hole Mick. When he finished his contract Mick started forth, And it appears kept his course due north For I saw a report in the Croydon Star Where a fellow had passed with a shovel and bar. To give you an idea of how he could walk A day or two later he struck Cape York. If they can't find him work there putting down holes I'm afraid he'll arrive at one of the poles. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER WORKING SIXTY HOURS AGAIN FOR WHAT REASON by HICOK. BOB DAY JOB AND NIGHT JOB by ANDREW HUDGINS BIXBY'S LANDING by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON BUILDING WITH STONE by ROBINSON JEFFERS LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS IN CALIFORNIA: MORNING, EVENING, LATE JANUARY by DENISE LEVERTOV THE DEVIL ON THE ROCK by G. M. SMITH |
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