Posted and Packing

One more move to overseas,
amid the packing of crates
and scrubbing of skirting boards,
a hoard of ancient football programmes,
towering at the bottom of a wardrobe,
tumbled and fell.
International matches, Old Firm derbies. 
Players from the late fifties, 
featured on the covers,
most with a military haircut,
National Servicemen all.

My dad pointed at faces, 
whose names were unfamiliar:
‘played alongside him,
against him, that one wouldn’t play:
frightened he’d get injured. 
Got invalided out, imagine that!
Dropped his .303. on his foot.’
‘Were you any good, Dad?’
‘Not too bad, Son, not too bad.’

The box behind the programmes
was full of trophies and medals,
won in - and for - the Air Force .