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Going an errand for mother - the year was 1943
A ration book clutched in my hand - also money to purchase a meal
Everything of basic foods was doled out from that book
Sugar — Butter — Bacon - Food coupons the shopkeeper took
Ministry of Food decreed in those dark days during war
Oranges - Bananas - Tropical fruits were rarely ever saw
Queues formed almost anywhere - for items in short supply
Often reaching the counter - your turn - Hear a ‘sorry sold out’ reply
Good job we had chickens and rabbits kept in our backyard
Stopped us going hungry - we almost kept a guard
Precious were those livestock - Hens that would lay eggs
Bairns got rationed orange juice to help their sturdy legs
Dried egg and Spam were new type foods came within our range
Not too bad really - helped to escape the mange
Such was life in the 40’s - Stotty cake helped us along
Listened to the wireless when the nine o’ clock news was on
Those bulletins were our lifeline so to say the least
As our lads were winning the fight - We can do without a feast
Living through those troubled times and scarcity of food
Those weekly rations so allowed - must have done some good
Now in modern times - you’re spoilt for what to eat
But shall never forget those war years
When a cream cake was a treat

Mary Robinson

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