"The MP Rookie"

Out of the east the young man came,

To join the Mounties, earn some fame,

Get his badge, his gun, big black horse,

Ride with the best, maintain the course.

Twenty five years they've rode the west,

Three hundred souls, passing all tests,

Bringing the law, guarding the land,

Friends of the prairie Indian bands.

The rookie trained hard, learned real fast,

Three months later, ready at last,

To take the train, see the wide west,

Report to his post, join the best.

He looked impressive on his steed,

Scarlet tunic, his rifle, a need,

Meeting settlers new to the range,

Hoping their work would make a change.

The Indians kind-a liked his style,

When they met, he would wear his smile,

Trying to hide his inner fear,

When an Indian brave would be near.

One day he had to find Big Cloud,

A War Chief, old, and always loud,

Bring him in for a 'little chat',

Nothing more, as simple as that.

In two days time he found his man,

During that time his mind had ran

Away with his senses, it seemed,

Big Cloud was a fighter, he dreamed. 

Riding into their camp that day,

He looked about and saw his 'prey',

Stopping aside, he tapped his arm,

Gun to his head to prevent harm.

Big Cloud turned, a smile on his face,

He knew the rookie meant no disgrace,

He said he did not need his gun,

He was among friends, every one.

The rookie put his gun away,

Told Big Cloud why he could not stay,

That they must leave, go to his post,

But, Big Cloud was the perfect host.

He told the rookie 'bout the storm,

Coming that night, out of the norm',

To stay with him and his family,

And in the morning, 'we will see'.

That night the rookie got no sleep,

He lay in 'bed' ready to leap

To save himself from any threat,

Not knowing that he need not fret.

At dawn he saw the storm had passed,

Big Cloud was up and said, at last,

The two could ride , back to the post,

It would take two days, at the most.

No sleep that day, and none that night,

Come morn' the rookie was a sight,

Later that day he fell asleep,

In his saddle, no chance to leap.

Shortly before they reached the post,

The rookie heard words from his 'host',

'Wake up, my friend, we're almost there',

'Put on that smile you always wear'.

That day the rookie was no more,

He left his 'fear' 'outside the door',

With all his friends now at his side,

With pride in all he now could ride.

Big Cloud knew the rookie was new,

He watched to see just what he'd do,

At the post, he praised this new man,

'A fine young redcoat for this great land'.

Robert Dean Holland,

October, 2009.

The Jingle of the Spurs

Eyes front, arms swinging,

all in step to the heartbeat of the Force,

...the Jingle of the Spurs.

From the first steps marching west,

to the crimson sentinel from coast to coast to coast...

eyes front, arms swinging,

all in step to the Heartbeat of the Force,

...the Jingle of the Spurs.

Standing proud amongst a sea of red,

the sun beating upon the Stetson,

a bead of sweat falling to the ground beneath the brightly shone boots,

the glint of polished nickel hitting the spectators' eyes

and the sell of leather heightens the senses...

eyes front, arms swinging,

all in step to the Heartbeat of the Force,

...the Jingle of the Spurs.

The Sergeant Major bellows his commands,

the band plays and the marching begins

as each member moves in unison...

eyes front, arms swinging,

all in step to the Heartbeat of the Force,

...the Jingle of the Spurs.

On parade to honour the fallen comrades,

those who have lived their lives serving others,

those who have lost their lives serving the Force...

eyes front, arms swinging,

all in step to the Heartbeat of the Force,

...the Jingle of the Spurs.

One hundred and thirty years of glory,

of pride in the uniform,

of International; respect and integrity,

of 'Maintaining the Right'...

eyes front, arms swinging,

all in step to the Heartbeat of the Force,

...the Jingle of the Spurs.

The Heartbeat of the Force...theJingle of the Spurs.

Authors:

Janet A. Hayward

Alf Zumpano

This poem was presented in photo plaque form to Sergeant Major Hugh Stewart in June 2003 by the authors.

Note: with pride, I am the photographer for both images shown.