7.4.12

Image: Hugh and 'best friend' Charlie

 

48) I'd taken my first pictureof an alligator,

Spoonbill and black vulture would come later

Coming from Brazoria Park and driving with care,

I noticed a light on the dashboard that shouldn't be there

It let me know, tyre pressure was low

Soon it was fine, I used a gas station air line

But it was in vain cos later it came on again

I'd go no further distance and ring roadside assistance

A tyre fitter was found and to me was bound

When he got there he put on the emergency spare

Saying "don't come a cropper get it fixed proper"

That was done this morning at the start of the day

The tyre fitter said "you're clear to go" so I drove away

I hadn't noticed but would later on find

I'd gone and left my glasses behind

But I'd taken the care to pack a spare pair

Then at my destination a Walmart was found

So as a priority to there I was bound

I thought I'd done well being very thrifty, three pairs for $8.50

Then I remembered as I came away

I'd once bought other goods that way

 

49) I saw him from my car

Sat on a camper step playing his guitar

I stopped and made my way I wanted to hear him play

I said "I'm Trevor", he said "I'm Hugh"

He shook my hand saying "sit a spell let me sing for you"

First he told me about his life, a life of pain, a life of strife

Addiction, prison, dereliction

Yet not thinking it odd, when he heard the voice of God

Saying "a task for you I bring

Play the guitar, write songs then go out and sing

On the street to those you meet

Whether they stop or walk by, go give it a try"

So learn the guitar he did, and doing as he was bid

He said "I sang to the people whether they stopped or passed through

I sang to them all saying this song is for you"

He sang dedication to his mother after she passed on

A song he wrote in prison about two ducks and a swan

He sang about walking alone to a future unknown

To a place called heaven where his name is carved in stone

Our time together had to end but I felt I'd found a friend

And if we meet in heaven I'll shake his hand with glee

And say "pick up your guitar Hugh and sing again for me".