War was over, just
It was summer 'forty-five
Holiday called us
We went to Hastings
By train on the Sussex coast
England in August
Barbed wire was all gone
Air raid shelters still in place
Digs a mile from beach
I had no swimsuit
Kids couldn't bathe in the nude
Not that I could swim
Costume was makeshift
Under vest sewn up down there
(If you understand)
Wet it reached my knees
Lackadaisical parents
Were poor as church mice
Wartime was now past
I even had an ice cream
How good was that then!
Image found on www.pinterest.com
Poverty is often more a feeling than actual circumstance (not to dismiss those who experience actual, grinding poverty) - if we are given the mindset to enjoy what is that is truly wealth... an uplifting and joyful poem...
ReplyDeleteit sounds like a good memory.
ReplyDeletelovely places to know here.
ReplyDeletethe imagery is dynamic.
Like what Jae said about being poor.... Feel of new life coming, anticipation of happy world - in this poem.
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show that poverty isn't the same as worthlessness.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautifully drawn scene with lots of great nuisances.
Some things are more important than money by far. You captured the feeling beautifully.
ReplyDeletehttp://weaverandwaterbearer.blogspot.com/2015/12/imminent-disaster.html
powerful.
ReplyDeleteBeautyfully depicted.
ReplyDeleteThe happiness could not be imagined. War was a disaster. Nice to have fun when it ended.
ReplyDeleteHank
The happiness could not be imagined. War was a disaster. Nice to have fun when it ended.
ReplyDeleteHank