World War Two Poems

FOR MR DARLING, DRAUGHTSMAN 1950 U.S.

Break off the yellow and seared leaf

You clumsy, gaumless, careless hands:

It’s old -- go on! Make way for new

Just in the modern way you’re taught.

 

What thought has stopped your vicious purge?

A thought too fanciful for words?

Ah yes! about two years ago

They did this thing to him - my friend.

 

How oft’ I gazed on that bent grey head,

Faithful, industrious, bending o’er

The drawing board, that was his bread;

And more --- his very spark to life.

 

His smile was the light that cheered the heart

Of this immigrant, alone on an alien shore.

In the self-centred rush of American life,

He alone sensed the heartbreak I dared not show.

 

I watched him walk right out of my life,

“His services no longer required”

Shame and fury held my heart in a vice,

As he walked thro’ that door, broken, old and tired.

 

Impotent fury! for what did you do

For your friend who those dark days had shone you a light?

Just words, that caused eyebrows to be raised -

And tears in your pillow, at night.

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