The Grumpy Old Veteran Says

In the days of the Commando gunner esteemed,
Who lived through eras others only dreamed,
“Uphill to school, barefoot, in the snow,” he’d reminisce,
A tale of endurance, not for the amiss.

No GPS to guide him, just the trusty paper map,
Navigating through life’s twists and trap,
Remembering friends’ numbers, a memory to hone,
No scrolling through contacts on a smartphone throne.

Waiting for photos to develop, oh, the suspense,
A test of patience, a photographic dance,
Enduring the radio DJ’s chatter without a fume,
Hoping for the favourite song to resume.

Blowing into game cartridges, a quirky routine,
Only to watch the game freeze, quite a scene,
Slow internet speeds, dial-up’s symphony,
Pondering life’s mysteries in the midst of technology.

Carrying change for pay-phones, a pocketful plight,
Now smartphones rule, shining bright,
Talking face-to-face, a precious art,
Not just pixels on a screen to impart.

Walking to change the TV channel, a nostalgic task,
Remote-less TV viewing, a bygone ask,
Consulting encyclopaedias for research decree,
A scholar in the age of information, so free.

Chatting without screens in the way,
Listening to albums all the way,
Disappearing without digital trace,
Binge-watching not in the chase.

Leaving the phone behind, surviving fine,
Getting lost without a GPS line,
Wearing double denim with carefree bliss,
Records off the radio, a pirated kiss.

Watching movies without the phone’s distraction,
Conversing with imaginary friends, a sly attraction,
Plot explanations ruining the movie spell,
Back in the day, simple tales to tell.

Getting lost on road trips, paper map unfolds,
Siri’s absence, a story to behold,
Oh, the Commando gunner’s journey through the past,
A mix of nostalgia and memories vast.

Paul Baldry (LongJohn)

I wrote “The Grumpy Old Veteran Says” as a light-hearted but reflective look at how quickly the world has changed within one lifetime. Beneath the humour and nostalgia lies an appreciation for resilience, simpler times, and the human connections that technology can sometimes overshadow. It’s a tribute to memories, patience, and the stories carried by older generations.