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 40th 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
