POETRY A SAD POEM Hit and Run by

POETRY – A SAD POEM “Hit and Run”, by Colin Thiele

“Hit and Run”, by Colin Thiele ◦ Colin Thiele’s poem is a very sad one. It tells of the courageous death of a beautiful collie that has been struck by a speeding car. The driver of the car didn’t even bother to stop to see if he could do anything to help the dog. ◦ Colin Thiele was one of Australia’s best-known and loved writers. He is most well-known for his book – Storm Boy – which has recently been retold in a film. He died in 2006, in Brisbane, Australia.

“Hit and Run”, by Colin Thiele They said he was done for – broken spine and all – Just another hit and run; ‘Still, if dogs will go roaming on the streets…’ Someone went to get a gun. He was a collie, with a golden coat That was soaked with sun. ‘Jolly fine dog’ they said, ‘and a pity to end this way ‘In a hit and run. ’

His head was classic, marvellously wrought; Nobility In every line, in every movement Dignity. No shallow hate or fear In his deep, deep eyes; Only a puzzled look, pained and strange, Like one who tries To repeat the familiar act and finds His art gone. ‘Here comes Harry with a gun’ they said; ‘Now it won’t be long. ’

He raised his shoulders on his two front paws As if to go; Dragged the wreckage of his body to the kerb, Looked round with slow Reproachful gaze at its uselessness And, with a sigh, Resigned himself to wait. The clouds were sleeping And the sun was high. ‘It was a green car, and going like a jet, ’ A youth said. Business, no doubt – speed justified of course – And, after all, a dead

Collie, golden as wheat in the sun, Was a small price to pay For the scheduled arrival, the luncheon sharp at one, The mingling with gay Sots to celebrate something or nothing… Down by the school The children were playing; some with a ball Where the pines were cool Shouted and sang. The whole yard Echoed the fun – ‘When you hit the ball, run! Hit it and run! Hit and run!

I smoothed the rich, warm silk of his neck. He lifted his face Gravely and his eyes smiled; even his thanks Were said with grace. They carried him to a vacant paddock then And borrowed a spade. He watched them gravely still While they made Their preparations. ‘That’s deep enough, ’ one said, ‘Or we’ll be here all day. ’ So I gave him my heart And walked away.

By now, I suppose, they have taken the sun From his silken throat, And are busy spading gobbets of dirty earth Over his golden coat.

VOCABULARY Use your dictionary to translate any words from the poem that you don’t know 1. ‘done for’ – going to die 2. ‘hit and run’ – hit something or someone with a car and then leave without helping 3. ‘Jolly fine’ – very good, beautiful 4. ‘marvellously wrought’ – beautifully designed 5. nobility – someone of noble birth 6. dignity 7. pained – in pain, upset 8. wreckage – broken parts 9. reproachful – angry with someone or something 10. uselessness – of no use, doesn’t work 11. resigned – stopped working 12. a youth – a teenager 13. scheduled – set in time 14. luncheon – an old-fashioned word for lunch 15. the pines – pine trees 16. echoed – copied 17. vacant – empty – no people or buildings 18. paddock – grassy area where cows or sheep live 19. gobbets - lumps

Comprehension Questions ◦ 1. Why did the bystanders (people watching) say that the dog was ‘done for’? ◦ 2. What words of the poet show that the collie was a beautiful dog? ◦ 3. Why had Harry gone to get his gun? ◦ 4. What words of the poet tell you that the hit and run car was going very fast? ◦ 5. What does the poet feel about the hit and run driver? ◦ 6. What kind of nature did the collie have? ◦ 7. What does the poet mean by the words - ‘So I gave him my heart’? ◦ 8. What happened to the collie at the end? ◦ 9. While you were reading the poem, what feelings did you have about the collie? ◦ 10. Imagine you were there when this happened. Write about what you would have done.