Buddy

I really didn’t like him
But what the heck
He was a fellow Yorkie
And he had a lot of neck
He played the piano by ear
And that’s just how it sounded
You couldn’t say his technique
Made notes in any way rounded

He churned out the favourites
Notes here there and everywhere
But in a Friday night squaddie mess
Who was in a state to care
As loud voices belted out
The old favourite songs
All comradely joined
In Buddy’s sing along
Just keep buying him a drink
He may not get many notes right
But in his own peculiar style 
He would play with verve all night
And he would beam at all and sundry
But I’m sure that in his head 
He wasn’t in that  mess
But another place instead
Maybe the Albert Hall
Not a Joanna under his hand
But his fingers gently caressed
Instead a concert baby grand
He was too big a character 
For even army ways
And he just wasn’t there
One particular day
Just an empty locker
Just a bare bed space
And the next day
Another was in his place

I saw him five years later
Both back in civvie street
Buddy dressed in a suit 
Looking sharp and neat
He tried to borrow some money
In typical Buddy bent
And when I refused
He just turned and went
The last time I saw him
But I’m sure he’s still around
Maybe tickling the ivories
In a shady part of town
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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Volumes Avatar
November 12, 2022 at 12:41 AM
There are a lot of Buddys in this world, not terribly memorable but hard to forget. Well penned story Terry.
Ireland Avatar
November 12, 2022 at 1:05 AM
Thanks Wem. This Buudy was a real horror. By pure coincidence he’d worked at the same place as I did on first being demobbed. When people found out I’d served with him I got some very old fashioned looks. Don’t know what he did but he’d certainly left an impression
Bauer Avatar
November 9, 2022 at 2:02 PM
you sure know how to tell a story, terry! i very much enjoyed this...
Ireland Avatar
November 9, 2022 at 10:23 PM
Thanks Ilene - Buddy was a strange person.
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