Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

THE VERGER AND THE MAGISTRATE

entry picture

Nowadays I am one rung down from the fucking angels.  But I was not always so.  A re-post.

 

I moan these days about youngsters -

The chavs and the scuzzies and thugs;

Their swearing and gobbing and ASBOs -

Their smoking and drinking and drugs.

But I recollect I was no angel

And partial to that Special Brew

And me and my mate have knocked teeth out

And pissed in a doorway or two.

But I’m sure that time in the 80’s

When we got banged up in a cell

We never thought that years later

We’d have this story to tell.

Cos it’s hard to see into your future

And no doubt we’d drunkenly scoff

That he’d end up as a Lawman

And I’d be a man of the cloth.

◄ MACBETH - HISTORICAL DISCLAIMER

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION ►

Comments

Profile image

John Coopey

Thu 16th Jul 2020 21:00

That's it, MC. Like I said, "Controlled Aggression".
And thanks for the Likes, Hugh, Kevin, Branwell and Stephen.

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Thu 16th Jul 2020 19:35

Controlled aggression? I always recall rugby at our place of learning for what went on in the ruck...all that gouging, knee-ing and stamping on delicate parts. It seemed more like an exercise in "putting a sporting face on vengeance", ?

Profile image

John Coopey

Thu 16th Jul 2020 15:30

MC - I always felt rugby was the perfect sport to learn about teamwork, controlling aggression, respect for rules and rule enforcers. As well as how to drink copious quantities of beer.

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Thu 16th Jul 2020 14:06

I remember W.S. Gilbert;s words from The Mikado, written for the
smug Poo Bah (brilliant name for the character)... -
"That youth, of course, must have its fling
Is hard on us...is hard on us...." (etc)..
Being one of a teenage team carrying a large log over an obstacle course in the muck and rain against the clock and other teams intent
on victory was one method of reducing aggression
levels and enjoyably reinforcing the value of team work - and its often odd rewards within a legal socially acceptable framework.
That and running 6 miles over hilly terrain in what was referred to as
"cross country". I know i always felt cross when running!. Ah...but those were the days!!

Profile image

John Coopey

Thu 16th Jul 2020 08:48

Steady, Brian. I’ve another 30 years left in me yet.
And thanks for the Like, Philippa and Julie.

<Deleted User> (18980)

Thu 16th Jul 2020 07:39

The 80's John? Surely you mean 50's.

Profile image

John Coopey

Thu 16th Jul 2020 07:07

Indeed, Po. They threw away the mould when I joined the church (In truth a verger is simply a fancy name for a caretaker). The “wand” had no magical powers; it was merely a candle lighter.

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message