ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 2:46 pm
I wrote this for a friend of mine who was retiring from the Police Force after a long and dedicated career:
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
Flash solicitors and barristers
are circling the court,
like ancient gladiators,
their loyalties sold and bought.
‘The Beak’ sits on the bench
glaring disdainfully at you,
as though there is a stench
attached to your suit of blue.
The defendant gives a grin
as the magistrate grants bail,
you wonder how you’re supposed to win
and who should be in gaol!
You’re tired of watching villains
and you’re sick of seeing thugs
make their evil livings
out of selling children drugs.
There’s a drunk out in the cells
alleging he’s been bashed:
down the phone a woman yells
her home has just been trashed;
you’re working on your rest day
and your wife has blown her top.
All of this for your pay -
who the hell would be a cop?
They’re off the air in Kellyville
re a fatal on Windsor Road,
you’re hoping that the young blokes will
somehow bear the load -
the boss has sent out memos
asking you please refrain
from locking offenders up at ‘demos,’
“The budget’s under strain!”
A wife has stabbed her husband:
there’s a drunk outside the school;
a noisy rock ‘n roll band,
and the kids who think it’s cool
to carry guns and flick knives
are hurling foul abuse,
high on drugs that ruin their lives
and you wonder - what’s the use?
There’s a mother at the door
and it almost breaks your heart,
although you’ve done it all before
you find it hard to start
for mothers always seem to know,
before you say the words they dread,
(God, what a way to earn your dough!)
“I’m sorry, John your son is ....”
The papers scream,”You’re bent!”
“You are crooked!” “On the take!”
Apologies are never sent
when they discover their mistake.
Your kids begin to doubt you
your wife shares your shame,
and even though it isn’t true
some mud sticks to your name.
At last you’ve had enough
and you are calling it a day,
it isn’t that the job’s too tough
or your hair is turning grey -
it isn’t that somehow you doubt
the people care or know
what a cop’s job is all about -
(Mate, they could NEVER know!)
So after nearly forty years
of study, work and strain
as retirement finally nears
were your efforts all in vain?
That’s the question you now face,
but I assure you it is true -
you’ve made this world a better place -
God Bless The Girls and Boys in Blue!
Vic Jefferies ©
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
Flash solicitors and barristers
are circling the court,
like ancient gladiators,
their loyalties sold and bought.
‘The Beak’ sits on the bench
glaring disdainfully at you,
as though there is a stench
attached to your suit of blue.
The defendant gives a grin
as the magistrate grants bail,
you wonder how you’re supposed to win
and who should be in gaol!
You’re tired of watching villains
and you’re sick of seeing thugs
make their evil livings
out of selling children drugs.
There’s a drunk out in the cells
alleging he’s been bashed:
down the phone a woman yells
her home has just been trashed;
you’re working on your rest day
and your wife has blown her top.
All of this for your pay -
who the hell would be a cop?
They’re off the air in Kellyville
re a fatal on Windsor Road,
you’re hoping that the young blokes will
somehow bear the load -
the boss has sent out memos
asking you please refrain
from locking offenders up at ‘demos,’
“The budget’s under strain!”
A wife has stabbed her husband:
there’s a drunk outside the school;
a noisy rock ‘n roll band,
and the kids who think it’s cool
to carry guns and flick knives
are hurling foul abuse,
high on drugs that ruin their lives
and you wonder - what’s the use?
There’s a mother at the door
and it almost breaks your heart,
although you’ve done it all before
you find it hard to start
for mothers always seem to know,
before you say the words they dread,
(God, what a way to earn your dough!)
“I’m sorry, John your son is ....”
The papers scream,”You’re bent!”
“You are crooked!” “On the take!”
Apologies are never sent
when they discover their mistake.
Your kids begin to doubt you
your wife shares your shame,
and even though it isn’t true
some mud sticks to your name.
At last you’ve had enough
and you are calling it a day,
it isn’t that the job’s too tough
or your hair is turning grey -
it isn’t that somehow you doubt
the people care or know
what a cop’s job is all about -
(Mate, they could NEVER know!)
So after nearly forty years
of study, work and strain
as retirement finally nears
were your efforts all in vain?
That’s the question you now face,
but I assure you it is true -
you’ve made this world a better place -
God Bless The Girls and Boys in Blue!
Vic Jefferies ©