DAY 20 -

I can hear my father's voice in my ear ….....

Many years ago when I was young and fit

I'd ride the ranches in my cowboy kit.

Canada, my stamping ground for years,

Became the source of all my loves and fears.

Astride a horse, with a song on my lips

And a six-gun on each of my hips.

Then came the Depression, and wages no more,

So a hobo life, and comfort no more.

Jump a train, work for my keep then move on,

A ranch, then a train, another year gone.

Illness strikes, a hard journey across the sea,

Rushed into hospital before my tea.

A big operation and a nice nurse

Then expressing my love in not bad verse.

She wouldn't leave her job though I asked oft

So I joined the Army to prove I'm not soft.

For the next ten years I proposed when I could

At least she knew with my love where she stood.

So in the middle of war she said 'yes'

Made me a very happy man, I confess.