For Brandan Watson, with love forever, Kelly Watson

The engine roars to life, dark smoke billowing out of the stacks
His truck rolling down the road, his cricket bat safely in the back

A packet of Tasty Toobs, a Big Mac and a shake
His radio on full noise, reflecting his eclectic music taste

A lanky gentleman is waiting for him as he rolls this final time
Slowly uphill, it’s been such a steep climb

The gentleman says, Mate I’ve been waiting, what took you so long?
To which He replies, Sorry Dad, It’s just you and Mum made me too strong
You see life kept trying to bring me here to you
But there was still so much to see, still so much to do

Dad, you’d be so proud, I followed your footsteps
And now I can leave knowing I have little regrets

He looked over his shoulder at the trail he left behind
A mother, a brother, sisters and in laws… nieces and cousins, a wife and a dog

He thinks of his aunties and uncles with a smile
He remembers the times with his friends and a list of precious moments compile

He thinks of all the dance floors He stomped on so hard
The football matches he’d watched and the pride He took in his yard
He reflects on the effort and strength that He showed
And knew it was time to go
time to hit the road

He looks back to his Dad, He smiles and He says
I’m here now and ready to rest
He turns the key and the engine grows still
He finally made it to the top of that hill

His body no longer weak, but as strong as his heart
But, Oh, He’d do anything to go back to the start.