My old mind thinks back
It seems only yesterday
Times were different
I was different
Boy marked by another war
Privation still rife
Shortages everywhere
Our family had little
But the sun still shone
We walked everywhere
Looking at the empty shops
In early morning
Old woman waiting
To buy a stale loaf of bread
At the baker's shop
They sold at half price
She couldn't afford fresh one
How times have now changed
Image of 1940's postcard by D. Tempest found on www.ebay.com
I suppose in the literal sense we are not rationed and yet there are wars of inequality raging across the world..quite how much we can change that for ourselves is debatable..richness isn't in possessions...it's in love and belonging which I sense in this piece
ReplyDeleteYou are right Jae, we haven't come far or eliminated all those and other problems after all these years, such as poverty in the richest nations and horrific weapons in the poorest.
DeleteMany of us don't remember those very lean times. Thanks for the poignant poem.
ReplyDeleteSad thoughts of what ravages of war could bring. Poignant write oldegg!
ReplyDeleteHank
So much poverty is hidden in the richest nations. We are supposed to be the third richest country in the world yet I see people who look as if they would appreciate some fresh bread. Somehow ,for me at least ,it makes it all the more scandalous.
ReplyDelete