10-4 Magazine October 2023

10-4 Magazine / October 2023 81 Poetry in Motion: By Trevor Hardwick WHAT FREEDOM? I drive truck for the fun and the freedom, I ain’t one to be stuck at a desk. I don’t wanna be saddled to no one, I just wanna do what I do best. I’ve been stuck in the tra c in Houston, I’ve been stuck in a snowstorm or two. I’ve been stuck in the mud, loading lettuce, Getting stuck is just something I do. I drive truck, so I set my own schedule, I’m independent, so I answer to me. I said it once, and I’ll say it again now, I drive truck, ‘cause I wanna be free. I’ve been stuck, waiting ‘round in Nogales, I’ve been stuck when there’s nothing to move. I’ve been stuck, waiting on my damned E-log, Getting stuck is just something I do. I drive truck ‘cause the view always changes, I like doing something new every day. To punch a clock at the o ce each morning, Just ain’t my idea of an honest day’s pay. I’ve been stuck at this truck stop for days now, I’ve been stuck here for more than a few. I just wish I was stuck in a high gear, But getting stuck is just something I do. I drive truck for the fun and the freedom, I keep telling myself that it’s true. I don’t wanna be stuck with a day job, But getting stuck is just something I do. Have you ever heard the expression that someone drives a truck because the freedom this career o ers? You might even see that concept o ered as a perk of the job when a eet is trying to recruit new drivers. Heck, if you’re like me, you’ve described your own desire for this truckin’ lifestyle in the same way. “I do it for the freedom of the open road,” or, “I could never be saddled down to a normal 9-to-5 desk job.” While that certainly may be true, if we’re being totally honest, the freedoms of this job are not always as wide open and carefree as we have been led to believe. As professional truck drivers, we are burdened by numerous freedom-sti ing hurdles along the way. Things like electronic logbooks, unrealistic hours of service rules, tra c jams, severe weather, road closures, shipping and receiving schedules, and on and on. For a career that touts so much freedom and independence, we sure do nd ourselves getting stuck going nowhere, a lot! GETTING STUCK By Trevor Hardwick