Camaraderie

In the group,
You cease being yourself.
You drink beer.
You gossip and tell anecdotes.
Your style of speaking, pace and content,
Change to match your audience.
Gentle jibes and teasing is accepted as normal conversation.
You give as much as you get.
Despite behaving differently,
You feel comfort in being part of the pack.
Camaraderie.

SES Training

Not a very big unit.
Membership reducing,
Members ages increasing.
In line with rural decline.
Measure annual call-outs,
On one hand.
Atmosphere slightly ribald,
But with trust and camaraderie
We cut up cars,
Climb up on roofs
Practise First Aid.
And then adjourn for beer o'clock.