Pay Back Poem by Don Stratford

At age sixteen I started work - I couldn’t wait - that could be seen.
The need to learn of all new things, I gotta tell you - I was keen.
My first real pay it did arrive, and i-t went just as quick
I’d spent the lot in nothing flat - it almost made me sick.

Mum tried to pulled me into gear, as mothers often do
to try to stop me spending up, and to ‘save a bob or two’.
Now that went down a treat I’ll tell you not. No way that that would work!
She walked away and shook her head just saying ‘you’re a jerk! ’

‘If you’re to spend up all your dough I’ll hit you for a six’
‘Its board you’ll pay from this day forth just try that on for kicks’
She hit me for a fiver and as we argued black and blue
Week in week out - a fiver it was - and no more could I do

I soon got jack of that do tell, as I continued with my chore.
I took a stand and called her bluff, ‘a Tenner now, be gore’
‘I’ll not do anything round here’, I did let out a cry
‘That’s all-right son, be on you way, don’t worry I won’t pry’

Things they got tense between the two and neither would give in.
The old girl had the upper hand, she had me in a spin.
But stubbornness it did step up a costly blow to me.
There’s no way she would say a word, and that’s how it would be.

And as I reached the age of man, a party was the go,
with all my mates and family around, it was a roaring show.
Next day I took the time to see what all the presents were,
then I found the one from mum - a special one from her.

It was a bank book full up to the brim of all those weeks of board!
I’ll tell you now, there was no doubt, this really hit a cord.
A lesson learned from then till now, and even thou she’s gone
it’s remained with me for all these years, - and now it’s been passed on.

I’ve taught this lesson to my kids, and I know of how they are.
I’d like to think she’s up there now - a shining twinkling star.
A legacy that’s been passed on - for now and evermore.
‘Thank you Mum’, for what you’ve done, for generations by the score.

18 / 7 / 2006