The First Day

In seventy four we were just lads They lined us up In front of the Drill Hall All a bit strange to us Some parents too who looked so proud The courses marched past Then someone spoke and instructors bellowed The squads doubled around the parade ground The parents all laughed and I smiled An instructor came and called the roll Parents said goodbye And they took us to the Quartermasters store Khaki cotton and a black balmoral It was the first year of forty-four. © Paul Warren Poetry First day as Police Cadets