Perfect Circle Piston Rings

The Perfect Circle Plant was where most kids went to work as a general rule, To begin a life of donkeywork upon graduation from the local school. I dreamed of things far beyond the horizon like visitin' Rome or Istanbul, Not a life of drudgery in the plant or plowin' corn behind a ploddin' mule! I suppose I could've gone to work there, married and had a flock of kids, But such a mundane life would've driven me to booze, landin' me on the skids! They made expansion rings and such for airplanes, ships and tanks. Not for me! I chose the Air Force! For that I've always given thanks! While I enjoyed the beauty of Bermuda (where I 'fought' the Korean War), My peers were waitin' for quittin' time, performin' their borin' chore! I reckon they made about five bucks an hour turnin' out expansion rings. I only made a hundred bucks a month, but it paid for my youthful flings! I just couldn't see myself turnin' nuts and bolts and payin' union dues, Or catchin' hell from the ol' lady for stoppin' by the pub for some brews! While I was dinin' on steak and sippin' Tom Collins' at the Plantation House, My pals back home were eatin' meatloaf and listenin' to their spouse's grouse! I hasten to say that the Perfect Circle Plant provided my friends with needed work, But operatin' a planer or lathe eight hours a day would've driven me berserk! Should I have taken Dad's advice and hired on at the plant had I to do it over? Nah! I wanted to get off the farm and leave the county 'cause I'm an avid rover! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved