We'd end in Dhekelia; a British enclave.
The troubles are over; most Greeks behave.
But we'll be without water now and again;
There's EOKA explosions; Grivas men.
Life's mostly beach and fun in the sun
It's better for Margaret, for everyone
She likes the beach but will not swim
Self conscious now; no longer thin.
I learn to swim to a raft in the sea
There and back with difficulty.
At seven years old I couldn't read
Must be 'backward' the school decreed.
Luckily I caught chicken pox.
Home with mum I'd soon read lots.
She sat with us, she found good books
Time and patience all it took.
We played at war on the valley sides
Or wore out shorts on big dirt slides.
Once a cave was yellow and black
Hornets!! We ran did not look back!
Roll out the barrel, Hide and seek
Childish games we'd play out late.
There were tremors once; a big earthquake
Made the local buildings shake
The military hospital split in two
But me being me I slept right through.
We liked it there but it was barren, dry
So we weren't too sad when we said
There were always friends we left behind
The life of an army kid's often unkind.
One of the reasons I don't do pets
Too many we left and learned to forget
Dad says a soldier must never look back
When it's time to move on, your bags to pack.
We're all done there and headed for home
May be good or bad as my story's shown.