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


Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Last Period


Jerry


THE LAST PERIOD

We have a little celebration
to bid farewell
to our favorite teacher.
We joke, we tease, we laugh.
We make promises to write.
Then suddenly,
the talk stops.
There is nothing else
we can say without
one of us choking.
Of course,
men don’t cry,
so we stare at the wall
and pray for the bell
to ring.


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Photos from author's personal collection.

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