Reveille before Mess
Soon (it's not yet dawn)
the pup will sound his wake-up bark,
new life insisting that itıs served
by old life me.
Long ago reveille's bugle broadcast
through the Army camp at Papakura
would wake me and the other
young conscripts in our long hut,
grumbling but half-intrigued
by the old routines of morning
so unlike home life -
march to the mess hall, queue,
fill mess-tins with salty mess,
elbow to elbow with strangers.
Now I'm on mess-fatigue
at home for a hungry pup.
She doesn't know how to queue.
Awake too soon I hum under
my breath The Last Post.
Max Richards
former signalman
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