Gary Radice Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

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Published: 3rd April 2021

Image: OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

For a couple of years in the early '80s I was a junior clerk at a national UK bank. I made some friends for life but absolutely hated the work. Every night I would have to run for my bus home because if I missed it there would be a very long wait for the next one. For some reason, forty years later, those times have taken on an air of romanticism all of their own.

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The Last Bus Home

I’d leave my workplace just before
The hands crept round to five once more

To race the clock and buy the time
I needed then to queue in line

To catch my breath in freezing rain
And board the bus back home again.



Then as those doors hissed shut behind
I’d feel a weight lift from my mind

And walk the aisle to find a seat
Just as the lights lit up the street

And by the time that I'd sat down
The last bus home was leaving town.



The years play tricks on all of us
So when I think back to that bus

And smile describing as to how
I caught it then but miss it now

I'm sure it's down to time's weird ways
I hated work yet loved those days!

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Sara Kendrick March 8, 2023 at 12:21 PM Congratulations on this winning work for the contest. It is a good work and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing. Sara Gary Radice March 9, 2023 at 3:51 AM Hi Sara. Thank you for your visit and your lovely comments. It's one of my least read poems but one that I hold dearly..I can feel that freezing rain of those dark winter nights just by reading it over again. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne December 15, 2021 at 9:42 AM To me, Gary, the bus in your delightful poem is a metaphor for our journey - a journey of days that become a life well traveled. Your remarkable ability to rhyme so seamlessly is another kudo to your fine pen. Best wishes, Brian Gary Radice December 16, 2021 at 4:34 AM Brian thanks so much for your kind words and continued support. I'm really fond of this poem because it brings back so many memories. Cheers - Gary

Brian Strand September 28, 2021 at 12:40 AM Ah Gary,I too once relied on buses,& now once again,now I have stopped driving Gary Radice September 28, 2021 at 1:02 AM Believe me Brian, if I could I would use buses (and trains) all the time. I'm jealous of those who live in the Old Smoke. Cheers - Gary

Christuraj Alex April 28, 2021 at 5:58 AM Congratulations! Gary Radice April 28, 2021 at 6:05 AM Thank you Christuraj :)

William Kelii Kekaula April 27, 2021 at 11:18 PM Enjoyed your romp through time, Gary, I thought we'd share the same bus, alas, my route dropped me off in the USA, my gratitude for your participation, and my compliments for your win, Aloha! Gary Radice April 28, 2021 at 2:06 AM Thank you William and my gratitude to you for sponsoring your contest that has given some excellent poems a second wind. Very much appreciated! :) Cheers - Gary

Connie Marcum Wong April 20, 2021 at 1:17 AM It is funny what we fondly remember as we age. I enjoyed this nostalgic poem Gary. I can remember some things in my youth like it was yesterday. Blessings Gary Radice April 20, 2021 at 4:30 AM Thanks Connie. I appreciate your valued comments. For some unknown reason I can remember clearly over 40 years ago..ask me what I did last week though... :) Cheers - Gary

Christopher Flaherty April 5, 2021 at 1:14 PM Absolutely love this Gary Be careful what you wish for As what once we thought was a chore Becomes later a memorable joy Christopher Flaherty April 5, 2021 at 3:20 PM Exactly Gary as your poem and your comment pointed out ever so brilliantly. So to do i miss the things i thought i once hated Cheers Gary Radice April 5, 2021 at 1:42 PM Spot on Christopher...and if only I knew then what I know now work may have been so different back then. Life eh? :) Cheers - Gary

Line Gauthier April 3, 2021 at 12:11 PM Well penned, Gary ~ so true that hindsight adds a warm nostalgic glow to many things that didn't seem important at the time. Gary Radice April 3, 2021 at 12:20 PM Line, yes, you are so right. Looking back now at those times I realize I had my whole life in front of me at 18..something I didn't appreciate back then. :) Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins April 3, 2021 at 8:36 AM This is a fine poem with a story, well-told in flow and rhyme. I enjoyed it immensely, Gary. Gary Radice April 3, 2021 at 8:42 AM Thank you Milton. I think at the same time you were writing your comments, I was fine tuning the poem (just a little) so I hope your lovely comments still stand. :) ..Cheers - Gary