________________________________________________
Title: Routine
Author: W. E. Christian [
More Titles by Christian]
(From a Marine's Diary.)
5:05 A. M.--FIRST CALL
I heard the First Call sound, and then--
Just yawned and went to sleep again.
5:10 A. M.--REVEILLE
At Reveille I shook the dope,
Broke out a towel and a hunk of soap.
5:20 A. M.--ROLL CALL
My name rang out upon the air;
I hollered, "Here," for I was "there."
5:25 A. M.--SETTING-UP EXERCISE
Took exercise, without a rest;
I like the Breathing Movement best.
5:45 A. M.--CHOW
Oh, what a difference breakfast makes!
'Twas Punk and Java, Dog and Cakes.
6:10 A. M.--FIRST CALL FOR DRILL
First call for Drill reminded me--
I'll try the rear rank--"number three."
6:20 A. M.--DRILL
Street Riot Drill and Company square;
I nearly went up in the air.
7:20 A. M.--RECALL FROM DRILL
Recall was music to my ears;
I hadn't felt so tired for years.
8:00 A. M.--COLORS
The Guard turned out for Uncle Sam
And handed him the "Grand Salaam."
8:10 A. M.--SICK CALL
One fellow went to show his corn
For there's a Hike to-morrow morn.
8:20 A. M.--FIRST CALL FOR TROOP
I shaved and washed, then cleaned the Gat,
And had ten minutes left at that.
8:30 A. M.--TROOP
The Captain sized us up for fair,
But no kick comin' anywhere.
8:45 A. M.--GUARD MOUNT
Guard Mount, my name wasn't booked;
How is it I was overlooked?
RESPITE
No more calls to answer now
Til I hear them holler, "Chow"
For this is my easy day:
Guess I rate it anyway.
12:00 N--CHOW--LIBERTY
Chow was the regular menu,
Spuds et cetera--carabao.
I heard "Liberty" when it went
But I didn't have a cent.
1:00 P. M.--POLICE
Glad I have no work today;
I'll turn in and hit the hay.
AFTERNOON--NO CALLS
Woke up promptly, half past two;
Walked around Olongapo.
Came in--played a checker game;
Wrote a letter to my dame.
5:00 P. M.--CHOW
Supper surely was some class!
Steak and Onions--Apple "sass."
6:00 P. M.----COLORS
Six o'clock when colors went;
Guard turned out and gave "present."
8:30 P. M.--TATTOO
Came in early, took a shower,
Read a book for half an hour.
9:15 P. M.--CALL TO QUARTERS
Let down my Mosquito net--
Puffed a Durham Cigarette.
TAPS--P. M.
Safely in my bunk I curled
And was soon--dead to the World.
[The end]
W. E. Christian's poem: Routine
________________________________________________
GO TO TOP OF SCREEN
