It's a long road, a cruel road, the road to Roma Jail, <br />birds in all the branches mocking as you pass, <br />the spiteful little soldier-bird, the stupid old jackass, <br />crying 'One, two three of them; riding head to tail'. <br />On the long road, the cruel road, the road to Roma Jail. <br /> <br />Crookedly the track runs beneath the grassy skies <br />silver shines the mulga, golden glows the plain, <br />Bullocks in the barley-grass start and stare again, <br />stockmen at the station-yars, watch the white dust rise, <br />but one man, jogging on, dare not raise his eyes. <br /> <br />Pride of life and wild blood, all must pay the toll, <br />stolen horses' mouths are hard as misers hearts <br />none knew where the end is once the journey starts, <br />and Steve rides a long ride to reach a bitter goal <br />where black imps, grinning imps, hover round his soul. <br /> <br />It's a long road, a cruel roaadm the road to roma Jail, <br />a trooper rides behind you, a tracker rides before, <br />your hands are tied, your head bowed, your heart and body sore, <br />and high above you in the blue the homing wood-duck sail, <br />on the long road, the cruel road, the road to Roma Jail<br /><br />Vance Palmer<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-road-to-roma-jail/
