The Bogey. Poem by PAUL COLVIN

The holidays are six weeks long,
First day, we’ve just been fishing,
And now we’ll build a bogey, strong,
At least that’s what we’re wishing.

First of all we need two prams,
We know just where to get them,
A scrapyard down where the Clyde flows,
We toss up coins, to see who goes.

Two climb the fence and sneak around.
The watchman comes, they hit the ground!
Then slowly rise, it’s safe for now
Ten minutes there, all they’re allowed.

They’re looking for some wheels robust
But all they see are ones with rust.
Then they spy some looking good,
To nail onto our chassis of wood.

A spanner each is all they need
Unscrew the nuts, the wheels are freed.
The axles must be straight as well,
If we’re to speed off down the hill.

We’ve got the lot and now head back
Along towards the river,
But watchman’s dogs begin to bark
And we all start to quiver.

We run as fast as we can go
And head towards the fence.
Will they make it? I don’t know.
They shout to warn their friends.

The panic station button’s pressed
Their foreheads dripping sweat,
The beating loud erupts from chest
Away from this they have to get.


They can’t afford to lag behind
They’re on an even keel.
They’re running hard with focused mind.
Dogs chasing at their heels.

The wheels are thrown in the air
In the hope they carry over.
The dogs are closing, getting near,
The boys know they’re in bother.

With pumping hearts they take a leap
And climb frantically to flee
The chasing dogs snap at their feet
But they manage to break free.

They take no chances, running still,
Through fields all high with grass
They cannot stop, they must push on
Until they reach the pass.

It’s hot and they are wearing shorts
This field is full of nettles.
With stings and cuts, they’re out of sorts
At least they’ve shown their mettle.

Eventually they’re out of sight
Can stop now for a breather.
They’ve sweat so much in their plight
It looks like they’ve a fever.

They wash their cuts then saunter home
They’re sore and in a state
Each one thinks a thought the same,
The Bogey, that can wait!