Gary Radice Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

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Published: 23rd January 2022

Image: OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st in the "A STRAND (1058)" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 22nd February 2022)

A true story of luck and serendipity from 1984 when I worked for a UK Bank.

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A Bank Teller’s Tale

had I woken with that headache 
then I would have stayed in bed
but because I felt much better
I got up for work instead.

had I got there any later
then it would have been my loss
as I would have missed arriving 
at the same time as my boss.

had my boss not turned to ask me
if I'd help him out that day
I'd have missed out serving people
at a branch two miles away.

had I sat behind that counter
any later than I showed
I'd have never counted takings
from the sports hall down the road.

had that customer not mentioned 
playing football on that night
my leg would not have broken
taking one year to put right.

because I went to hospital
(on that day that changed my life)
I met a nurse while on the ward
- and she became my wife!

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Gary Radice July 28, 2026 at 11:29 PM A couple of years after marrying my wife I went on to do my nurse training and spent many years working in the field of brain injury rehabilitation. I often wonder what would have happened had I decided to ring in sick to work that day. Cheers - Gary

Adam Silk April 21, 2026 at 10:06 AM This is a stunning poem, the snowball of events is emphasised graciously by your fabulous style, so happy to have found this, thank you :)) Gary Radice April 21, 2026 at 12:38 PM Thanks Adam. I'll admit to tearing my hair out putting this poem together but judging by the great comments - such as your own - it was all well worth it. Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley April 19, 2026 at 8:11 PM Dear Gary, what at first felt like a series of unfortunate events turned into a very fortuitous twist in the end. I adore the lighthearted imagery that flows with a jaunty rhythm to the romantic finale. Enchanting! Your golden pen shines, my poet friend! Congratulations for your success in Rob’s contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Gary Radice April 20, 2026 at 6:55 AM Thank you Susan. This is a poem I wrote backwards - by that I mean I wrote the last verse first and so on until I wrote the first verse last.. then put it down in the order you read it now. ..and I’m confusing myself here so heck knows what all that reads like to you. :) Cheers - Gary

Speaks Volumes April 19, 2026 at 6:58 PM Gary, I dont comment any more, unless I read something that strikes me as ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR. That's why I am commenting on your poem. Gary Radice April 20, 2026 at 6:50 AM High praise indeed Wendy. Thank you. Writing the poem had me thinking that much of what happens in life is often down to luck, chance and happenstance. :) Cheers - Gary

Rob Carmack April 19, 2026 at 6:38 PM This was perfect for my contest. Congrats Gary Radice April 20, 2026 at 6:47 AM Thanks Rob. Your contest was perfect for my poem. :) Cheers - Gary

Mark Toney December 18, 2024 at 11:20 AM Thank you for supporting my Flash Poetry Challenge, Gary. I love this! You caught a break playing football, leading to your meeting your future wife, and the fact that it's a true story knocks it out of the park for me! (I love trying to mix metaphors.) This is an absolute FAV for me. Gary Radice December 18, 2024 at 1:37 PM Thanks again Mark for your time in running these challenges. They make such a refreshing change from the contests. I'm surprised more Soupers don't join in. Cheers - Gary

Peter Rees October 5, 2022 at 5:16 AM What.if … ? What if… ? Yes, that’s life. Another story succinctly told, Gary. I really could relate to this, so many possible paths, but which with the magic touch of serendipity ? Gary Radice October 5, 2022 at 5:55 AM Serendipidous moments tend to happen in life when you are doing something unrelated or you do something by accident don't they? Yes. So many possible paths. The first verse talks about a headache I had. What would have happened had it remained and I had stayed in bed that morning? The mind and poetry possibilities boggle. Cheers - Gary

Andrea Dietrich August 27, 2022 at 7:38 AM I love love love this. Going back through all the events that led up to that MAIN event. You are a very lucky man, and this is a FAVE Gary Radice August 27, 2022 at 10:48 AM Thanks Andrea! I'll have a further read of your poems in the next few days. Cheers - Gary

John Watt February 22, 2022 at 11:12 PM Gary, this is a delightful romantic take on the butterfly effect, poetically rendered with your signature impeccable cadence (which I guess you know by now makes me smile). I suppose you can call that football injury your lucky break, lol. I think you and I are of similar vintage, my wife and I married in 1984. Great write, going in my faves ~ John Gary Radice February 23, 2022 at 2:04 AM Hi John! Yes, although it didn't feel like it at the time it did turn out to be a lucky break. :) I was working for a bank in the early 80s and absolutely detested the work but enjoyed the wages it paid. I left the bank after I married and went to train as a nurse. It's funny, weird and wonderful how life can turn. Thanks for the fav. Cheers - Gary

Gershon Wolf February 16, 2022 at 8:33 PM Getting going is usually the better alternative. :) gw Gary Radice February 17, 2022 at 12:51 AM Well I got going and left the bank (my place of work at the time) soon after I recovered and never looked back. :) Thanks for reading. Cheers - Gary

Margarita Lillico January 31, 2022 at 1:17 AM Those turns:) Great read! M. Gary Radice January 31, 2022 at 11:51 AM Hi M! Yes, those turns..those fortuitous, wonderful turns that have resulted in 34 years of very happy marriage. Thank you for your comments. Cheers - Gary

Valerie Staton January 30, 2022 at 7:35 AM What a wonderful poem...a chain of events leading to love!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your poem this morning. Take care and God bless you and those you adore. Gary Radice January 30, 2022 at 8:36 AM Thank you Valerie. I'm glad you enjoyed the read. Have a wonderful day! Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick January 27, 2022 at 3:13 AM Interesting chain of events in a day of your life. So many times, in a busy person's life if one event had not happened first thing in the morning the day would have gone so differently. Your visit to my page was uplifting. Sara Gary Radice January 27, 2022 at 10:32 AM Hi Sara..likewise your visit here is always uplifting. :) Thank you! I suppose I could have written a few more verses regarding how I got my headache from the day before. :) Cheers - Gary

Mystic Rose Rose January 26, 2022 at 3:57 AM Ah, some things are just meant to be, glad you met your love of your life there, nice story : Gary Radice January 26, 2022 at 2:31 PM Thank you Mystic. It's funny how things work out sometimes. Thanks for your visit. Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck January 24, 2022 at 3:54 PM Oh, that's so sweet. Serendipity or destiny ~ who knows. At any rate, worth a broken leg :) Congratulations on your win! Gary Radice January 25, 2022 at 1:14 AM Thanks Ann. Yes, it was a lucky break :) The broken leg actually afforded me plenty of time to think and rethink my life at that time. I was off work for over a year from my job in the bank (a job I detested) and applied soon after for my nurse training which I absolutely loved. Cheers - Gary

Deb M January 23, 2022 at 10:52 AM Aww….that’s so lovely Gary and so cleverly written! Debx Deb M January 23, 2022 at 1:14 PM Horror tackle alright to do that damage….how awful Gary! Debx Gary Radice January 23, 2022 at 10:57 AM Thanks Deb. It seemed my life just changed so much for the better on that day despite the four operations and me nearly losing my leg due to a horror tackle on astroturf. A lucky break I guess :) Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins January 23, 2022 at 9:49 AM Splendid writing, Gary, again! You've taken the "If I Had Not" theme way back and followed it through to a marvelous, unexpected conclusion story-wise. I thoroughly enjoyed it. You are a gifted poet, Gary! Gary Radice January 23, 2022 at 10:48 AM Thanks Milt. I'm still not 100% happy with the flow so there may well be a couple of minor changes on the way but as it stands it's as near to the truth from that day as possible. Cheers - Gary

Paulette Calasibetta January 23, 2022 at 8:33 AM Gary, one never knows~happenstances of fate are around every corner! Great write! :) Paulette Gary Radice January 23, 2022 at 10:51 AM I couldn't agree more Paulette. I was wanting to leave my work at the bank at the time this all happened. It acted as a catalyst and I went on to do my nurse training a short time after. ..oh, and I married Ann in Feb '87 too :) Cheers - Gary

David Kavanagh January 23, 2022 at 7:09 AM Heya Gary, You have just serendipitously put a brilliant poem to a monoku I wrote the other day (All’s well that ends well) about life being arbitrary, check it out if you get a chance, I only explain the action, you bring it to life, cheers David Gary Radice January 23, 2022 at 10:54 AM Thanks David! I've just checked out your great monoku and left a comment. I've been toying with writing a poem like this for some time. I published a similar poem last year but took it down almost straightaway as it didn't make any sense..A bit my like my life before all this happened actually :) Cheers - Gary