Memoirs

The Beard

When I was in the Navy
beards were allowed so
I grew a long beard to
somehow remind me of my recent past life

During a formal inspection of the crew
the Captain of our new Destroyer
which was then being built
and of which I was a member of the commissioning crew
walked to me as I was standing at attention
and looked at me with his intense blue eyes
and told the chief petty officer of my division who was accompanying the inspection
We don’t need any Santa Clauses on this ship

Shortly after
I shaved the beard
The CPO looked at me and smiled
good decision he said
he became a sort of friend of mine
which in itself was an accomplishment

Much later in my professional careers
working for brilliant supervisors
when they gave me a direction
subtle or otherwise
I saluted
and said HUA
heard understood and acknowledged

The Navy lesson served me well

but after I retired
I grew another beard
much longer and fiercer