Happy Birthday!

Sixty five years ago today the world was shaken to its core as my mother gave birth to the oldest member of my family; my brother Michael. He has lead a very interesting life, if such a mild adverb could ever be used when talking of Mike. His experiences as a member of the famed Special Forces in the US Army in both the U.S. and in Vietnam are the things that stories are written about. Many times he has kept us transfixed with a strange combination of humour and horror as he recounted some of the events of his life.

When we spoke yesterday, he asked me if I could post a poem I wrote a little over 33 years ago. For some odd reason it resonated with him. Given his well known lapses of memory which is not always 420 induced, it was remarkable he recalled it. So in honour of his birthday, I did dig out an old volume of things I wrote when I was a mere lad. Although the mates and spouses may have changed over the years the sentiment still remains today.


LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust,
I'm writing this will, I know I must,
Soon to leave not even a tracer,
I know I'm going to meet my maker.

Don't argue with me, I know it's time,
(This sentence is here to fit the rhyme,)
Of sound mind and sound body,
Nothing I leave is ever shoddy.

To Brother Micheal and his wife Linda,
A package for you I doth senda,
My satin sheets I give are free,
But understand they're C.O.D.

To Sister Jane and you too Norm,
What I leave you will keep you warm.
They're in the corner - take a look,
All for you, my paperback books

And now to Vicki and Brother Dunc,
Do not feel that you are sunk,
Although the biggies are now gone,
I leave to you my new brass john.

To Geoffrey who I hold so near,
I give to him all that's dear,
To you a person who always walks,
I leave to you all my socks.

Last but not least, to my Dad,
Who stayed in tune, never sad,
I leave the important part of the will
I leave to him, the funeral bill.