You were never there

When the government deploys you, to perform some dodgy task

You tell your folks. “Secret Squirrel”. In other words. “Don’t ask!”

You fulfill your duty and do it with some flair

But don’t tell it to the bureaucrats, they’ll say you were never there

 

When you are in some tropic cesspit, without support or flag

You will never tell your story, ‘cause you’re not the type to brag

And the mud, the rain and mossies, are enough to make you swear

But don’t tell it to the bureaucrats, they’ll say you were never there

 

When you are huddled in a submarine, on some harbour floor

And the slightest indiscretion, can lead to all out war

With your finger on the button and a softly whispered prayer

But don’t tell it to the bureaucrats, they’ll say you were never there

 

When you are out performing medivacs, from a place you should not be

Where one stray shot can bring you down and extract its deadly fee

So you push the mortal limits as far as you can dare

But don’t tell it to the bureaucrats, they’ll say you were never there

 

When the main force arrives at last, with cheers from the oppressed

The streets now their parade ground, uniforms clean and pressed

You’d been out there for weeks, but no one seemed to care

But don’t tell it to the bureaucrats, they’ll say you were never there

 

When the dramas are all over and you have that well earned rest

It’s then that duty calls you, for just one final test

And you are tempted to respond, with just a subtle smear

“Thank you for remembering me, but I’m sorry I’m not here.”

 

Tomas ‘Paddy’ Hamilton
31 March 19

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FILE PHOTO: A C-130J Hercules overflies a Collins-class submarine. Photo by Corporal David Gibbs.

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