Barracks Life

Son, you haven't really experienced life,
(And it will surely make you pine for a wife!),
Until you are thrust into noisy open-bay coops,
With fifty other snorting and snoring troops!

The sergeants demand that things be just right.
Bunks must be made with blankets smooth and tight!
Clothes must be hung straight and boots shined to a glow,
And all your shoes lined under your bunk in a row!

As the bugle at early dawn is blown,
Fifty guys rush to the latrine as if chased by a cyclone,
All vying at once for a place at the sink,
Because the line gets long as quick as a wink!

You're invited to a GI party on Friday nights without miss,
But this is no occasion for a cool beer and socializing, this!
On hands and knees with a GI brush in hand,
You'll be scrubbing and waxing until the floor is grand!

Saturday you'll stand by your bunk for a white-glove inspection,
The eagle-eyed captain checking everything demanding perfection!
If dust he discovers you'll receive reams and reams of demerits!
Forget the weekend pass - you'll be on KP peeling taters and carrots!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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M Avatar
April 6, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Enjoyed it!
Kendrick Avatar
April 1, 2010 at 4:09 PM
Great write about military life and all the fun the young men have while in there...LOL..Keep the creative pen flowing. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work..Sara
Strand Avatar
April 1, 2010 at 12:28 AM
Where was Bilko in all this Bob ? Easter greetings & thank you for your welcome comments today.Rgds Brian
Taylor Avatar
March 31, 2010 at 9:28 PM
Thanks for your comment on Judge whats-her-face. This storm wasn't that bad for us. The big city (NYC) had a lot of flooding. The one that nailed us was a snow storm about 3 o 4 weeks ago. It was a doozy. Rgds Ralph
Mehta Avatar
March 31, 2010 at 9:10 PM
A light humored poem
Green Avatar
March 31, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Ahhh- those were the days! LOL- Great job here, Bob. LOVED it.
A  Avatar
March 31, 2010 at 6:38 PM
Nice one ! Enjoyed the reading. (soup mail.)
Taylor Avatar
March 31, 2010 at 4:44 PM
I was only exposed to "open bay" in basic. The rest of my barracks life was either 4 or 2 man rooms although everything else you mentioned was the same! Those were the days. I certainly had my share of the taters and carrots thanks mostly to my roommates.
Sweetheart Avatar
March 31, 2010 at 3:37 PM
A touching poem for me Bob as my Eric Edward reads in your first verse so well.. and he is experiencing all u write in your creative poetry..luv it... luv.. and happy Easter to u and family..luv.. "Sweetheart"
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