Mike "Subs" Subritzky

THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY

56, mate... Subs, blimey, that's bloody young
Still with a lot of song in the instrument to be sung
Still much water under the bridge to be run
Every drop with love of life in gusto wrung...

Birthdays of men who've tasted of life's cup full
Resonate with experience to the long journey mull
Experiences falling, dropping here and there along the way bestow
Now fall fast, quickly before you like wind whipped snow...

You've got beaucoup time in old age mate, to deliberate
Life's stains planted upon your brow now, gravely meditate
Think deeply on life's meaning with reasoning; cogitate
Life rife with memories: contemplate, ruminate, speculate.

Envision life's trimmings, sit back and ponder
Remember a life lived to the hilt, chuck full of wonder
Racing fast before eyes grown by the years wise
Question outcomes, theorize, sit back to rationalize...

You've too much time left, to look back on younger days with despair
Days of yore younger, stronger, faster... but I rather think you'll not
Just like you weren't last to answer the call with danger fraught
When mates for bloody freedoms fought.

Your living legacy, a heritage full of blasts and repasts,
Wading through swamps where bestial danger boasts
Which sons down under, bearing blood and thunder, outlasts
Offering your all where-ever bloody horror's shadow casts...

Most old men sit back on their laurels and coast
Tell old war stories, look at pictures, reviling and beguiling hosts...
Fielding a round of happy birthday roasts
So mate, I offer to you now on your 56th, a heartfelt toast...

Subs... mate, live long...
Live happy for the rest of your days with vibrant song
Old age is hard work... but mate, from here it's all downhill
Till over the rim of this life to the next you flailing spill
So Subs... your cup with good bounty of life may you ever fill...

©Copyright June 11, 2006 by Gary Jacobson

Happy Birthday Subs
For Mike "Subs" Subritzky on the occasion of his 56th birthday: June 13, 2006