William Maxwell Cooper, contributed by his grandaughter Robyn Radke

The history behind this poem is that it was written by my late grandfather, William (Max) Maxwell Cooper, He wrote this c1973/1974 after my father had taken on the Northern Territory distributorship for the White Motor Corporation.

Max passed away suddenly in Alice Springs on 05 July 1975 after suffering a massive heart attack behind the wheel just as he was about to drive out the trucking yard gate.

A ROADTRAIN DRIVER SAD AND SLOW

KNOCKED ON THE PEARLY GATES

ST PETER ANSWERED FROM WITHIN

‘FROM WHERENCE YOU COME MY MATE’

‘I COME FROM UP THE TERRITORY’

HE SAID WITH MANY A WEARY SMILE,

‘I’VE DRIVEN NEAR, I’VE DRIVEN FAR,

I’VE DRIVEN NIGHT AND DAY.

MY WEARY FRAME WILL TAKE NO MORE

AND NOW SEEK REST I PRAY’

ST PETER LOOKED WITH  PITY

UPON THIS WRETCHED SIGHT AND SAID

‘IT’S OBVIOUS BY YOUR SAD STATE

YOUR RIG WAS NOT A WHITE’

                                                      William Maxwell Cooper circa 1974