World War Two

This thought-provoking alphabet / list poem is filled with emotional realities which the city children of world war two were faced with during evacuation, and is all told in rhyme and rhythm, with lots of alliteration for effect.  It has been selected for use by museums, exhibitions, and publishers as an example of world war poetry for children.

	Air raid shelters, damp and black Bombs exploding, back to back Children crying, adults too “Down the cellar – after you” Evacuees on the train Farewells said in pouring rain Gone to live in some strange place Hoping for a friendly face.

			In the city, parents wait Just to hear of their child’s fate Knowing that they have arrived Leaves them thankful they’ve survived Memories now not theirs to make No hugs or kisses; birthday cake. Only painful loss is theirs Parting sorrow, daily prayers.

	Quick to jar them from their pity: Raids repeating on the city. Sirens screeching, chaos calls, Thunderous noise as buildings fall. Underground : imaginations, Violent earth reverberations. Why oh Why? Despair abounds. eXit all, as fear resounds…..

Remember that, if you choose to write a poem about World War 2, there are all sorts of different perspectives to think about.  My alphabet poem thinks about the perspective of the parents left in the city separate to the children who were evacuated from the city in World War 2, but it doesn’t think about the people who took in the children in the country and how their lives were affected.  The final verse thinks about the effect on the city; maybe you could write about the children’s return home to an unrecognisable city after the war.  There are endless aspects to look at: I have only considered a few, despite having 26 letters to use!

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