Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, POST-HOLE MICK, by G. M. SMITH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

POST-HOLE MICK, by                    
First Line: A short time back while over in vic
Last Line: I'm afraid he'll arrive at one of the poles.
Alternate Author Name(s): Grey, Steele
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


A SHORT time back while over in Vic.
I met with a chap called Post-Hole Mick;
He was a raw-boned, loose-built son of a paddy
And at putting down post-holes he was the daddy.

And wherever you'd meet him, near or far,
He had always his long-handled shovel and bar—
I suppose you all know what I mean by a bar
Is a lump of wrought-iron the shape of a spar

With one chisel-end for digging the ground
And average weight about twenty pound.
Mick worked for the cockies around Geelong,
For a time they kept him going strong.

He would sink them a hundred holes for a bob,
And, of course, soon worked himself out of a job.
But when post-hole sinking got scarce for Mick
He greased his brogues and cut his stick.

And one fine day he left Geelong
And took his shovel and bar along.
He took to the track in search of work,
And struck due north, en route to Bourke.

It seems he had been some time on tramp
When one day he struck a fencers camp.
The contractor there was wanting a hand,
As post-hole sinkers were in demand.

He showed him the line and put him on,
But while he looked round, shure Mick was gone—
There were the holes, but where was the man?
Then his eye along the line he ran.

He'd already put down about ninety-nine,
And at the rate of a hunt he was running the line.
He had a few sinkers he thought was quick
Till the day he engaged with Post-Hole Mick.

When he finished his contract Mick started forth,
And it appears kept his course due north
For I saw a report in the Croydon Star
Where a fellow had passed with a shovel and bar.

To give you an idea of how he could walk
A day or two later he struck Cape York.
If they can't find him work there putting down holes
I'm afraid he'll arrive at one of the poles.





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