The ‘Role’ of the Drumm
My good friend Drumm has challenged me
By sending his erudite letter
To dig down deep in my memory bank
For verses there to unfetter.
His efforts to utilize meter and rhyme
Have provided for me enough spark
To open the kennel in Pandora’s box
And allowing the doggerel to bark.
As a septuagenerian to an octogenerian
I know just what you expect.
You know that my elder you always will be,
So, of course you’ll demand my respect.
I will always endeavor to address you as ‘sir’.
You have taught me a good many things-
Like the verses of one of our favorite songs
Of England’s well known bastard king.
True students of literature the both of us are
But not of McBeth or King Lear.
We’d much rather quote those laborious verses
Of Abdullah bul bul Ameer.
Our squadron reunions help recall those days
When liquor and song freely flowed.
Lew Cunningham crooned ‘Shine on Harvest Moon’.
On Engebi our island abode.
If by any chance through a natural attrition
You first reach the Heavenly Scene,
Please save me a place in the spot that’s reserved
For the members of old One Thirteen