My Shed Nightmare (Part Two) Poem by Don Stratford

To say that I was cranky and to say that I was sore
About the bloody trick played out that went straight to my core
From my old man who laughed and laughed about his little prank
That had me passing razorblades that I have him to thank!

The look that was upon his face as he came into our light
Was one of only pleasure and just sheer damn delight?
Of a trick and of tom-foolery that caught his victim well
But all that I could think of was that you can go to hell!

He tried to put his arm round me and console his frightened son
But I brushed away his advances now and told him I’d have none
of his condolences, not now, nor probably never could
From such a dastly deed played out while I was chopping wood

Now I don’t know to this very day if Mum was at all aware
Of what my Dad intended and how he planned to scare
the living wits right out of me in the shed on that one night
But to this day I’ve not found out if she knew about the fright

For quite some time I didn’t speak to my old man at all
He kept on saying that it’s all right stand up and you be tall
And don’t you ever back away if you know that you are right
‘Cause someday son you’ll work it out and you will see the light

Now you’ve gotta know, as years went on, that episode been told
to many an ear that would listen and to dad it was pure gold
A lesson that he taught his son that should stand him in good stead
To enable him to live his life and for him to get ahead

I gotta tell you now that over years and since that scary night
My life did change, I’m not scared now and it gave me much insight
So don’t be concerned and have a go no matter how things look
Nothing can be that scary and nothing can be that crook

My Dad and I we reminisce and all that has been said
He tells me now how proud he is that not a tear was shed
And that I made something of life and really had a go
Which justified all that he did to so many years ago?

So I tell you now if sons you have you wish to teach them how
to have a go and live their life and for you to be so proud
Don’t send them down to chop the wood on their own and in the dark
Nor scare the living life from them to leave such an indelible mark

Don Stratford © 15 / 10 / 2006