Poems March 2005
Harry dealing cards
Put it this way. If I had a suitcase
Id open it and I might iron my shirt
but I certainly wouldnt put my socks in drawers
because unlike you kids
I cant be wasting time on a ruddy farm
at my age. Have to do my bit. Eighteen
in April dont forget. Ill stay a night
and eat a roast with you
and get you settled down. When you next see me
Ill be in uniform. Im not sure which.
I may well have a beard. Why is that funny?
All very well laughing
when its summer all year long. Not in the service.
Our lads are copping it every night and day
over our heads right now, dont you forget it,
kiddies. Spades are trumps.
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This article originally appeared in The New Criterion, Volume 23 Number 7, on page 34
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