Hi Bill we tend to say 'in the war' or the war-but then I am probably
referring to my service in 1066 (on the losing side as usual cheers P
-----Original Message-----
From: Poetryetc: poetry and poetics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Bill Wootton
Sent: 27 February 2013 20:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Opposed snap
I wasn't sure myself, Doug. My original line was 'once saw service as they
say' but I thought I should nail it down a bit more definitely. I have adked
a few people about what is a vernacular expression for World War 2 and
haven't been appeased yet. 'The Big One' seems vague and I'm sure I've heard
an expression which is laconic and downplays the magnitude of the whole
enterprise while clearly identifying it. Any ideas, anyone?
Bill
On 28/02/2013, at 2:44 AM, Douglas Barbour <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> a definite portrait
>
> (just not sure about 'shebang'; his term?)
>
> Doug
> On 2013-02-26, at 1:01 PM, Bill Wootton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> Opposed
>>
>> Uncle Ron, now ninety odd,
>> saw service in the big shebang,
>> weathered open heart surgery,
>> golfs without a motor buggy.
>>
>> I'd still rather not be on the wrong
>> end of his flattened fist.
>> Something incalculable lurks
>> behind those genial eyes.
>>
>> Staying with him and Aunty Dawn
>> years ago, I got off work early;
>> bunged on a bit of Rock 'n Roll
>> Reed, loudish, in the afternoon.
>>
>> How was I to know that Ron too
>> would knock off early that day?
>> Strode in, wrenched up the stylus,
>> snapped power off at the wall.
>>
>> Took his leave. Never said a word,
>> then or afterwards. Maybe his eyes
>> blazed. I certainly didn't meet them.
>> Some seeing doesn't take looking.
>>
>> Barracks for the Tiges, Uncle Ron,
>> always has. Saturdays, we used
>> to watch footy replays together
>> on his black and white tele.
>>
>> Even in Melbourne mud, playing
>> the Bombers, both teams in
>> black jerseys with pale slanted
>> slashes, he knew who was what.
>>
>> Bill Wootton
>> 25.2.13
>
> Douglas Barbour
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