Ben The Drainer Poem by Francis Duggan

All through his twenties to his mid thirties there were few as strong as he
Yet now that Ben is over fifty he's not the man he used to be
He could lay clay pipes all day long and drink 'til closing time
And few could match it with him when he was in his prime.

And though he still works hard laying clay pipes for storm water drains and sewer
He does not drink 'til closing time his drinking hours are fewer
The drainer Ben not the man he was some twenty years ago
And he is the first one to admit that time has made him slow

Nowadays after work he has a few drinks and goes home to his wife
A different man to the drainer Ben in the prime of his life
His once broad shoulders now not so broad his thinning hair is gray
And time is taking care of him he has known a better day.

In his prime the ageing drainer was one of the town's strong men
But father time who leaves his mark on all is taking care of Ben
In his prime after a hard day's work he often drank 'til late
But now he goes home early to his devoted Kate.