The Uniform Poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

The Uniform
When I grew up if you came from a poor or austere home,
the joining of the merchant navy could be a rescue,
if you kept your nose clean and went to a navy academy
you could become an officer and got to wear a uniform.
I did go to school and after seven years of drudgery I was
a catering officer, with three silver stripes on my uniform.
Only other officers, say, those the bridge or engine wore
golden stripes, again I felt inferior ditched my uniform wore
a blue blazer instead, golden buttons, my title and logo like
firework on my chest. When It dawned on me I had reached
the pinnacle of my career I wasn´t going any further and
promptly lost interest in the supplying profession.
I wore T shirt and jeans tried to be equal only to discover
when you are an officer the crew will never accept you as
an equal and will treat you as the fool you are