I never really was a soldier
Although I wore the uniform
Somehow didn’t quite fit in
Just couldn’t quite conform.
Hindsight now tells me that
I enjoyed every single day
But I’m not so sure at the time
I actually saw things that way.
We could work many long hours,
Performing military tasks
Without reason or rhyme
Could mean catching up
In our own meagre spare time.
Come my annual appraisal
I really blew my top
And once I’d got started found
It was impossible to stop.
The Adj shook my hand
On my discharge day
Wished me the best of luck
As they sent me on my way.
I’d tried hard to fit it
Worked at it body and soul
Nothing could change my being
The square peg in the round hole.
I still have good friends
From that period long passed
Friendships from the forces
Tend to develop and last.
I wouldn’t have missed that time
It meant do much to me
It influenced and helped form
The man I later came to be
Years later I worked with Veterans
Helping them sort out their lives
I could still speak their languages
Knew all their angles and skives
But I’d never really been a soldier
Though I’d worn the uniform,
Sad when I’d had to leave but
Just wasn’t able to conform .
