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


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The State of Me


Ellie


THE STATE OF ME

The president says
our spirit is strong.
I don’t believe him.

When Milt died
my spirit couldn’t wait
to get out the door.

My faith was stretched so thin
the blackness came through
to enshroud what was left

of my heart, leaving me
in this state of shock.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Poster courtesy UNT Digital Library.

3 comments:

Alex said...

Your poems are always so amazing and spot on. I love the picture the create in my head of a young person saying these words as well as the picture you include.

Diane Mayr said...

Thanks, Alex! What a nice way to start a Monday morning.

I'm Jet . . . said...

Wow, Diane. "My spirit couldn't wait to get out the door."