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Lessons from my grandfather... St George's Day, 1941..

Tomorrow, you will be five years old...
Tomorrow, you will start school...

Well, you can read and write and count quite well,
And you've learned your notes and how to find middle-C,
And you know the "Our Father" and Creed and the 23rd Psalm,
And "God save the King" of course...
So you won't let the family down!...

But -  tomorrow you will be five years old,
A big girl now... So remember:

Always carry your gas-mask!
Always carry your identity card!
(But do not show it to anyone
Unless you are sure they're official-
-Like policemen and A.R.P-wardens!)
Remember your identity number!
(But, again, do not tell it to anyone,
Except policemen and A.R.P-wardens...
Don't tell your teachers!... Who knows? They could be spies!)

Behave properly in school, be polite to the teacher,
Don't talk in class, and don't call out the answers
Until she asks you for them...
Eat up all your dinner!... Food's rationed, you know,
And sailors risk their lives to bring it here!

Remember your address and the way back home...
(Don't expect Granny to fetch you... She's far too busy,
And it's only a mile!...)
Don't touch any strange objects - they might be bombs!
Don't dawdle on the way... but if there's an air-raid
Lie down in the ditch till it's over!

And, yes, one thing... if, when you come home
The house isn't here and we're not here any more...
Well, that can happen in war... So, be brave and don't cry!
But remember us, sometimes...

Author notes




For those unfamiliar with UK World War II acronyms - A.R.P = "Air Raid Precautions". (The letters were always pronounced separately - "Ay-are-pea...")


The A.R.P wardens were in charge of civil defence - monitoring the blackout, arranging firewatching rotas etc...

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 15 of 15

  • epitome
    October 18

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    I love this, it seemed almost too flippant and whole-hearted, and then I got that chilling last line. I felt like I was five myself, your language is patronisingly simple, which really meant I got to grips with how difficult it was for a child to comprehend this.
    Lovely poem.


  • lukes
    June 30

    Edit | Reply

    Great slant on the war.

    You did'nt go for the obivious and it is great. Just what I was hoping for. Well done and good luck.


  • pop123
    October 29, 2008

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    Wow, excellent poem. COngrats on your three trophies. THanks for entering my contest and best of luck!


  • NeonRose
    October 10, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Stirring memories of troubled times. Congratulations on the Bronze.


  • poetrandy
    September 24, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Well wriitten War memories!

    Thanks, this is a fine memory poem -- nice work -- Good luck in the contest!


  • Animals
    August 28, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This was really great showing how much the grandparents care and worry about their grandchildren.

    Best wishes,
    Animals


  • daviscth silver member
    August 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    What an interesting poem from a war point of view. So many of us have never experienced this and give no thought to the children that do.
    Thanks for posting in my contest.


  • TyrannyForestFairy
    July 25, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Interesting write and very impressively structured in compositions. Very powerful topics and issues incorporated within that are very harsh to be told to a 5 year old and provokes a sense of sadness througout with government and social issues used. Great work and well done. Good luck in my contest and thanks for entering

    ~Emily~ xx


  • Nicada silver member
    July 9, 2008

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    Wow! This is a powerful and sad write you have shared here. I can't imagine being five years old and having to worry about such frightening adult issues. The ending is especially powerful. Thanks for sharing this and for entering my contest. Blessings, Patty


  • chills gold member
    December 19, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    My Gramps

    This brought him back to me with clarity. I think we should be grateful for the experience of a life saving bits of string and making suet ends meet (meat!!). Shame we are not as frugal with the resources available now......


  • bloved
    December 10, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    wow this is really a horrible situtuion...the fact that children had to still go on with their daily life...while war rages on outside their living rooms...is very sad.

    Thanks for taking back...and thanks for entering!


  • WisdomWarrior
    November 26, 2007

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    This is wonderful prose. Excellent story and a very poignant, sharp, attention getter. Well done as a story. I'm not seeing the poetry in it though, more of a very strong short story but then you know the debate as to what is and is not poetry will go on infinitum.

    One love,

    John

  • Eusebius
    August 22, 2007

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    bravo

    Poignant, but so stark! So much for a five year to fathom!! Amazing! I've read of "The Blitz", but this places it really human terms...excellent!

  • Rowan gold member
    August 16, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    What a scary way to live..and we thought being told to brush our teeth, do your homework, and play nice, was hard..lol.
    My grandmother was in WW11 and was raised in London..
    I'm sure she would remember being told all these things and more.
    Running with scissors seems mote in comparison, donnit?
    Well done.


  • KevinDunn
    August 16, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    A very powerful, moving and effective poem. Most impressive!

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