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 ramblings and things

smallstepsmadpotepotriemantheartfulcodgerscogspeaksvolumes
Starts And Finishes


A quarrel with a girlfriend,
Teenage angst and despair,
And I'm in the recruiting office
Sitting in a high backed chair.
An aimless gesture really
My taking the Queen's shilling
But putting on that  uniform
Made me ready and willing.

And then it's a mad whirl,
Friends' mixed cheers and jeers,
The family just bewildered,
And a mother's million tears.
Gangly, thin, uncoordinated
A Drill Sergeant's nightmare,
 I made it through the beasting,
Passed Out proudly on the square.

Embarkation leave parties,
No longer quite accepted
By childhood friends,
A reaction quite unexpected.
Posted to the regiment with
Responsibility beyond my years,
Satisfaction in coping with and
Overcoming uncertainty and fears.

Not really a team player
I worked my way to rank
Just sheer hard work
Nobody else to thank
Although I gave my work
My Body heart and sole
No way of concealing I was
square peg in a round hole.

Then came demob day when
I handed back my kit.
Did I have any regrets?
I suppose yes just a little bit,
But it was out into the world
To restart my interrupted life
Finally marrying and having
Two fine children and a wife.

I still fondly remember my
Service days and friends
So much good company again
At my life's other end.
I'm glad I took the shilling
Faced that culture shock
Over all these many years
It's stood me in good stock.


 












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