There is one front and one battle where everyone in the United States—every man, woman, and child—is in action and will be privileged to remain in action throughout this war. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives and in our daily tasks. Here at home everyone will have the privilege of making whatever self-denial is necessary, not only to supply our fighting men, but to keep the economic structure of our country fortified and secure during the war and after the war.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s radio broadcast to the nation, April 28, 1942


Monday, June 13, 2011

Bundles for Britain


Edith


BUNDLES FOR BRITAIN

For nearly a year now
we’ve been sending
Bundles for Britain;
packages for Aunt Isabelle
and her two children.
We’ve always sent
a shirt or socks for
each cousin and a little
something for Auntie, too.
Things to keep them warm
in the underground shelters
where they are forced to stay
while the Germans bomb
the moxie out of London.

Now, we’re at war with Germany.
And Japan. And Italy.
All our Allies are in
the thick of it.
Sometimes I wonder
who will be left to send
Bundles for America?


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Photo courtesy Library of Congress.

3 comments:

Beth said...

Brilliant idea for a series of poems, Diane. Very much like the voices of each so far. Also love the photo you chose for this post. Looking forward to more.

xo.
Beth

Diane Mayr said...

Thanks!

I'm Jet . . . said...

I'm looking forward to reading these again, D. So glad these are finding an audience . . .

J