I remember those days, was it so long ago,
When summers were balmy and time seemed to run slow.
Some children were well fed, dressed clean and neat,
While others wore patches and walked on bare feet.
Boys in short trousers, girls’ skirts past their knees,
Shaved heads were common, as were lice and fleas.
Childhood diseases would maim, often kill,
No time for mourning, less bellies to fill.
Raising families of twelve, the mothers were worn,
No contraception, so another child born.
Winter brought bronchitis, flu and Tb,
Children with green candles dangling free.
With no form of heating and inadequate food,
For many those ‘Good old days’ were not very good.
Yes, it was tough to survive years back. Your poem was good in describing some of the tougher things. Sincerely, Connie Webb
Yes one often forgets the reality of those good old days. And then, it depends for whom...the priveleged often had it good anyway.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
We must have gone to the same school Irene! i can still see those greem candles, poping in and out as they breathed thanks for making me bawk! lol