They stood alone against the might
of Hitler's awesome power ...
and lit a torch against the night,
in this, their finest hour.
With Europe prostrate at the feet
of tyranny supreme ...
and Russia reeling, in defeat,
the Fuehrer reached to clutch his dream.
America stood by and gazed
as England fought alone
to stem the tide ... before it razed
our world down to the bone.
The Japanese were on the march,
and kept the British on their toes;
while countries, in a shattered arch,
collapsed, like dominoes.
But Pearl Harbor saved the day.
America was forced to fight.
The Axis powers were swept away
by the combined Allied might.
Author notes
Most people are unaware that England stood alone against the most powerful armies in the world ... for the balance of 1941, and that her desperate struggle literally saved the world for democracy. I was intrigued, watching History Boys, to find that Hallifax, who was favored to lead England in WW II went to the dentist on the crucial day when the decision was made, and Churchill took the job. If Hallifax had had better teeth, England might have lost the war and we'd all be speaking German or Japanese now.
A contest entry
- History Relived by Phantom Commander.
1050 points, ended June 14, 11 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think?
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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Too right about the US's isolationist attitude back then. Alas, it's still present in some of us, today.
I enjoyed your poem. It rhymes very well, and the rhymes don't sound forced. -
Excellent title, so many possible interpretations; the Fire of Hitler's destructions, the moral fire of England's example, or of Pearl Harbor's fiery bombing.
Excellent abab rhyming.
A fine telling of something many have forgotten or are sadly unaware of. What immense changes of perception have occured in the U.S. from days of isolationism to concepts like "global village!"
England was more perceptive, and willing to act when action was called for. Thank goodness!
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Believe it or not ...
there was plenty of blame to go around.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Well written poem!! It's amazing how Pearl Harbor may have been the best thing that happened to the world during the war (without overlooking all those who were killed or displaced because of it.) Many people don't even realize that the bombing of Pearl Harbor had nothing to do with the war in Europe, and had to do with the US ties to China.
Good luck in the contest, if I was judging it would definitely get strong consideration.
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Don't forget Chamberlain, who missed the bus. I think that's how Churchill put it. Things could really be different, couldn't they? It's a fascinating time in history. I think I've probably heard people discussing it all my life and it is so interesting to read about though I think younger people coming up have no idea what it was all about.
Great write and good luck in this contest.
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This was really good. I present you with cake. A nice, big piece of chocolate cake with tons of white frosting and fun little icing designs. On a more serious note, this was brilliant. I liked the rhyme scheme and was interested in it from line one. I also liked how you mixed it that one little bit of German to mix it up. Great job.
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Ah yes, the 'what ifs' of history.
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Funny how history gets interpreted (usually by the victors), isn't it? I've read many things about WWII over the years, but didn't even realize until a few years ago that America wasn't involved from the beginning. How tragic that so many perished before we finally decided to intervene. "The war to end all wars." Would that it had been the case. Thank you for your social conscience & the willingness to share it, my Friend. Good luck in the contest, Scribe. An admirable penning from an honorable man. 
Wanda
P.S. I saw a bumper sticker a couple of days ago. It said, "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a vet." Touche'.
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This is sort of hard to read but well done. Good thing there was chocolate and lollipops around at that time! Write on, brother.
Dez
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If you want to take another look ...
it should be better now. Have you seen Hart's War? If not, you should go get it and watch it. It's a hell of a movie. -
Thanks. ;)
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