In the father and son activity,

Known as Indian Guides ( this is the 50’s)

John and his dad would head down to the basement

To drum in a circle,

The fathers altered, suit coats gone…

( this was probably their wife’s idea)

Shirts off- feathered headbands

On each lad’s fair head.

Such a sweet effort, to instill good values.

John remembers liking being called a Brave.

““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““

It is no longer PC to be Indian Guides

(It’s been changed to Adventure Guides)

But something wonderful, like really being an Indian,

Has been lost…

The removal of the shirts, the drumming

The feathers on your head

And your dad sitting bare chested on the floor

Next to you on a school night.