Kids of the Homefront Army: Booty

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 13, 2011

Booty

Marshall

BOOTY

Captain Long John Silver
would be proud of a crew
that collected as much booty
as the soldiers of this town have done.

Wooden boxes that had been
sent to the front filled with medical
supplies are now coming back
packed with the spoils of war.

Bayonets and pistols,
collar emblems and medals,
field glasses and scopes—

items captured and sent home
to mothers who don’t
give a damn about treasure.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Photo courtesy WW2 Museum Online.

3 comments:

I'm Jet . . . said...: Fabulous poem, D!; January 9, 2012 at 9:17 AM
Marion Eldridge said...: Great irony. The photo is perfect too.; January 16, 2013 at 9:54 AM
Diane Mayr said...: Yes, so much is available online, the photo is just one example.; January 16, 2013 at 5:27 PM