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 9, 2011

A Tale of Hosiery


Betsy


A TALE OF HOSIERY

Most of us couldn’t afford
silk stockings even before
the war, so we don’t miss
them now that they’re scarce.

No patriotic American girl
needs to wear real hosiery
when there’s leg makeup
and you can paint your seams.

When it gets colder,
we’ll wear cotton socks
and rayon stockings—
ugly, but functional.

Besides, with shoes
being rationed, too,
a good pair of trousers
will hide both legs and feet.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Photo courtesy FDR Library. Sign reads: Uncle Sam needs your discarded silk and nylon stockings for gun powder bags. Please launder and leave here. Leg make-up ad from author's personal collection.

1 comment:

I'm Jet . . . said...

Hip hip hooray for trousers!

October 11, 2011 at 2:48 PM

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