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, May 23, 2011

For the Duration


Vera


FOR THE DURATION

Mama says Ida needs care.
We’re her closest relations.
We can’t get enough gasoline
to check on her often enough,
so she’ll have to move here

for the duration.

Don’t get me wrong,
I love Aunt Ida,
but what thirteen-year-old
wants to share a room
with an old lady

for the duration?

I’ll have to check the dictionary
and make sure "duration"
doesn’t mean forever.


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

5 comments:

Irene Latham said...

Yes, I can see how "duration" can be a very scary word under these circumstances! Thanks for sharing.

Gillena Cox said...

nice one Diane

much love
gillena

Diane Mayr said...

Nowadays time seems to go by in a split second, but imagine how long the WW II years were for the average teen! The duration was a plastic concept--it could have stretched on forever--nobody could guarantee its end.

Julie said...

Diane - I just love the vintage photos you've been posting lately! And you know, in terms of your thoughts about our country, I heard someone talking recently about how we need to reclaim the idea of the Good Citizen, one who makes decisions based on the common good, instead of idolizing the idea of the Lone Cowboy who needs no one. I do believe our country can do better and - fingers crossed - will do better about putting "the common good" at the top of our priorities, instead of indulging in all the grandstanding and bickering. Thinking of the common good instead of thinking "What's good for me?" is going to be what makes this country secure and strong.

My two cents! Thanks for posting your poem.

Diane Mayr said...

Amen, Julie. There's been a little too much, "I've got mine and I'm going to keep it--the hell with everyone else."