In My Fifteenth Year

  

 

In the year 1971

Just out of Combermere

I walked into an institution

Void of any fear.

 

Not so in earlier years

With the terror of the strap

Flailing left, right and centre

Wherever there was lack.

 

I could never escape

This scourge of St. Giles’

Unless I left at the first opportunity

And put it behind for miles.

 

My very first attempt

Was in the Grinna’s Class 3

Where I passed with flying colours;

Thank God I was free.

 

 

 

Into Combermere

And back to St Giles’ again,

This time, however, let me tell you,

It was a different pain.

 

 

 

Twenty-four years there

And on to St. Mary’s for six,

Ten in the Ministry of Education

And that for me was it.

 

Now in my fifteenth year

I have had no regret,

The wife encouraged me to come home

And with that I was set.

 

I had had a good run

Going beyond duty’s call,

I enjoyed the students to the fullest

And gave them my all.

 

 

 

But when the 40^th came

I decided enough is enough

And so, I bid all of them farewell,

No more huff and puff.

 

Fifteen years almost

But not on the breadline,

I am living off the little pension:

Both me and mine.

 

  

I thank my God daily

From a heart of appreciation

That he has given me so many years

Having left the profession.

 

And for whatever is left

I will take one day at a time

And whenever I come into surplus

To someone I’ll be kind.

 

And this does not mean

I won’t help out of my need

For God has been gracious to me,

Very gracious indeed.

 

With my fifteenth year

Yet to be completed

I will continually give God thanks

For how I’ve been treated.

 

Stewart Russell © January 22, 2026