大象传媒

This contribution to the 大象传媒 People鈥檚 War was provided at an event at Hethersett Library attended by the 大象传媒 Radio Norfolk Action Desk. The peom has been written and submitted to the website with the permission and on behalf of Beatrice Mary Ewart.

Home on Leave

In civvy street,
He was always smart, my Dad.
In uniform, the same: shoes polished;
The thick, scratchy tunic
And bell-bottomed trousers spotless;
The blue collar, edged with white stripes,
Neat, uncreased,
Over the white shirt trimmed with blue.
My job was to hold his collar,
Reaching round under his arms
To catch the square corners,
Holding on tight as he heaved
The heavy greatcoat over his shoulders.
Last, the hat, with H.M.S. on its band:
No name of ship, for fear of spies.
And so he left us for another tour of duty,
Destination unknown, save for At sea,
Not knowing if, or when, We would ever meet again.

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