Wally Poem by warner treuter

A guy i used to work with
Called Wally, used to say to me
Over and over, every once in a while:
'Look out for number one, Treuter,
Always look out for number one.'
I was amused. After a few years
I began to realize how serious he was.
I was happy caring about everyone
But I considered Wally's advice.
He was older than I
And had been a marine invading Saipan
Or one of the islands
During world War 2. He 'd carried
And used a flame thrower
Routing Japs from their holes.
One of the nicest guys you could ever meet,
He would sometimes get a bit disgusted
And could be heard softly saying:
'I sometimes wonder if Hitler
Should have won the war.'
Apparently he wasn't always satisfied
With the way people were treated
Economically, but elsewise
He was always good-natured.
When i reflect, this is a lot like myself
Nowadays, and the refrain that rings
From my heart over and over
For others is: 'Look out for one another,
Always look out for one another.'
Myself, I live alone nowadays,
And what I do is
I look out for number one.
Thank you, Wally, wherever you are.