[CW] An OT Brass Pounder Laments

[David Ring]

A dear friend from India sent me this.  He had a longing to be a Morse
Operator for the Indian civilian aviation agency as he loved both the
boundless navigation of aircraft and the melodic percussion of Morse
wireless telegraphy, but, alas, very high frequency (VHF) radiotelephone
transmitters became the system that aircraft would use - after all -
everyone can talk.  His interest in Morse remains although so far he has not
sat for the Indian Postmaster's examination in wireless telegraphy and
obtained an amateur radio license. (Not, yet!)

He sent me this poem - to me previously unknown - but so nice that I thought
you'd love to read it also.  The author, Old Old Timers Club ( www.ootc.us )
member, Alan Shawsmith, VK4SS, is quite well known especially in his native
Queensland, where he was one of the first licensed Australian radio amateurs
and is one of the most prolific radio collectors and radio historians and he
keeps active even in his middle 90s.

73

DR

David Ring, N1EA

*
*

*An OT Brass Pounder Laments*
by Alan Shawsmith, VK4SS

*When I was young I dreamt my dreams;
Made my plans and plotted schemes.

A Wireless Operator I would be.
My key and me.

In lieu of fun and women's looks,
I bought and studied wireless books.

- and got my ticket easily,
My key and me.

Intent to visit foreign lands,
Was another of my plans.

Work ships from sea to sea.
My key and me.

But came the strife that turned to war.
I was posted 'on the shore'.

And did not go to sea.
My key and me.

I met a girl and soon her wed,
So settled down 'docked' instead.

No longer was I fancy free.
My key and me.

The children came and grew and went.
And tho' it's been a life well spent,

Duty set the destiny.
Of my key and me.

The years have simply sped away.
But still it seems like yesterday.

A dreamer, young and fancy free.
My key and me.

Too late to muse, 'If only I –'.
Life's winter season is close by.

Now very soon there'll only be,
My key NOT me.
*

=30=*
*
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