TORONTO — One Canadian owner-op recently realized that the pen is as mighty as any 500-hp big bore engine.

David R. Madill, a retired Canadian owner-operator with over 30 years’ experience on the road was recently named the winner of the inaugural 2007 Trucking Poetry Contest by Land Line magazine — the official publication of the Missouri-based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

Madill’s work reflects on his experiences and thoughts while on the road.

Through the years, he has attracted a wide coterie of fans, and has had two books of poetry published, “Reflections Thru My Windshield Part 1 and Reflections Thru My Windshield Part 2,” with an option on his third book by Write Up The Road Publishing.

His reaction to winning the contest wasn’t what you’d expect of a former trucker and published author: “I’m still in shock.” Adding to his surprise was winning the Honorable Mention ribbon as well as the cash prize for First Place.

The contest, held earlier this fall, garnered entries from all over North America and included every poetry style from free verse to haiku. While not every entry was from an eighteen-wheeled poet, each dealt with the glories and the struggles of life on the road.

So what were the memorable words that garnered the honor?

The Last Load:

Alone out in the trailer yard he crumpled to his knees. Tried so hard to get his breath and whispered, “Not here please.” Pain blurred his vision as he opened up the door. One hand reached for the wheel and he gasped, “Just three feet more.” ?
He collapsed into the seat and fumbled for the key. Then he heard the engine roar and he whispered, “Now let it be.” We found him in the morning, hands clenched upon the wheel. Eyes fixed on the horizon and his skin gray as steel.

He went the way he wanted, with his boots upon his feet. His hands upon the steering wheel, sitting in the driver’s seat. We buried him just today, with his logbook by his side. God when you go to judge him, remember that he loved to drive.

Madill’s books are available at bookstores in the US, Canada and on-line, or writeuptheroad.com.

Other trucking poems submitted to Land Line may be viewed online at: http://www.landlinemag.com/Archives/2007/Nov2007/Features/poetry.html.