Oleander Highway

I remember the brilliant yellows of the poplar trees
they stood like magnificent tall soldiers on each side of the road
the little houses of the small town when children played
and the feeling of warm friendships on sunny days
Birdsong was glorious for this was the country
and we were all just simple plain country folk in a small caring community

We knew our neighbours by their first names
and we all got together on Sunday afternoons for a town barbecue
I stole my first kiss from Lucy there and we swore secrecy
It was games of sweet imagination in sunny valleys and green fields
We picked ripe apples from the orchard straight from the tree
and juicy peaches were so delicious and just ripe not frozen or green

Yes we children knew the real things that came from gardens and trees
The general store carried only vitals and so many jars of boiled lollies
Mr Breesdale owned the store and always greeted us with a wonderful smile
Me and Jimmi would get 5 cents worth of lollies and eat em by the old river bridge
sometimes after school we would buy a packet of 1 penny broken biscuits
that bag would be so full of lucky dip biscuits we gorge ourselves

As we grew older the developers moved in...said it was a nice place to live
they built multiple dwelling condos and Mac Mansion estates everywhere
All the beautiful paddocks are now gone and the river is always full of strange liquids
People don't talk to each other anymore and sickness seems on the increase
Poor old Mr Jenkins got mugged the other day and now hes in hospital
Me , I still sit on the old veranda, older and wiser and so sad

I watch young people fighting calling each other names and even talking drugs
And I sometimes wonder what happened to that Old Oleander Highway
I remember that old song "Whats the matter with kids today"
I used to laugh at its silly lines , but these day I don't find myself laughin
there is great sadness here on the Oleander Highway
And I find myself confused , alone , no longer knowing what to do
I just received an eviction notice..the were resuming land for new development

I didnt want to leave my home in Oleander