Kids of the Homefront Army: A Letter Obsession

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, April 20, 2011

A Letter Obsession

Phyllis

A LETTER OBSESSION

When I was younger
my alphabet book
told me "V" is for vase,
violin, and vegetables.

As I grew older,
I found "V" is also
for velocity, vicuna,
and valedictorian.

Now, the only thing
"V" is for is VICTORY!
We are obsessed
with the letter "V."

"V" is for victory gardens,
victory dishes, victory brooches,
victory puzzles, victory bobbie pins,
victory cookbooks, victory comics.

"V" is everywhere—
on signs, in magazines,
on old ladies, in windows.
Dot dot dot dash.

Will there ever be a day
when "V" will once again
be one letter, among many,
in an alphabet book?

3 comments:

Joyce Ray said...: The photo is perfect for this poem, Diane. Thanks for generously sharing your work on this project. The fall issue of UMaine Today has an article called The Art of War. Maine's Bangor Public Library has almost 800 posters from world wars. They are being digitized on the U Maine server. I thought of you as I read the article.; December 17, 2011 at 8:37 AM
Diane Mayr said...: The photo is of my father and his friends! Let me know if you find out when the Bangor P.L. collection is available online.; December 17, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Anonymous said...: Cool poem, Diane. Weighty topic but grounded in great everyday, even amusing, particulars!; December 21, 2011 at 7:49 AM