I WAS JUST SEVENTEEN.....

Was forty eight years ago   on this day that I turned  to my old man and had   this to say," Time to put  life in my own hands and  be on my way." Of course  he had nothing to say but  NOT to my dismay!  Subway-ed downtown to  Whitehall Street to be sworn  in on how to stand on my   own two feet! Just seventeen  but already knew life could   be some damn mean!   I was ready to be bold and   south Bronx tenements are  SO DAMN COLD!!!!!!   Took my oath and bussed to  Fort Dix New Jersey to learn  basics over eight weeks and   learned world is full of funny  people, illiterates and freaks!  YEAAAAAAAH BABY!  First night was up very late,  began thinking this may be great!  Kind of deal where you fish and  cut bait!Beginning anew with an  absolutely clean slate, again.  I was just seventeen, lean mean  and would be turned into another  killing machine. At that time I just  didn't know or know better.......  My journey has been my journey!  Who cold ask for anything more?     Barry McChangky  QUACK!