Following the Formula

Tests.

It’s snowing in Tassie. Photograph by Dad, Damian.

On the straight and narrow Eyes on the road ahead Disciplined and in control Resting up in bed

I’m following the formula To mitigate the pain Driving down the highway Safely in the correct lane

Tests are here every day And visit me at night I try to organise my thoughts And keep a goal in sight

The goal is to get well again And leave this test behind Testing is investing And not being maligned

I don’t know when it will go And leave me in the clear Sometimes I wish I had gone missing And it would disappear

I take my mind on journeys To keep it occupied And several breaths that are the best To keep me fortified

Tests are the testimonials And deeds of the demands Put on my human spirit My mind understands

A formula is fun And playing in the snow And build a snowman in Tasmania To bask in the afterglow

©

David Rudder 2026

Thank you for reading this piece and my poetry.