The Crossing Poem by Angela Wybrow

It's a late spring morning,
A little after five,
But, already the town
Is coming alive.

The folk at the Harbour
Are already there:
For a historic event,
They are getting prepared.

Down in the Harbour,
The 'Little Ships' are now moored;
But, when the tide's right,
They'll be leaving our shores.

There'll be thousands of folk,
Lining the Prom, and the two piers,
And, when the ships start to set sail,
There'll be applause, and loud cheers.

They'll be mirroring the journey,
Which they made long ago:
When they made the ten hour voyage,
To help bring our boys home.

They were playing their part
In Operation Dynamo -
But, many of the 'Little Ships'
Were actually privately owned.

There were fishing boats, barges,
And pleasure craft too;
Lifeboats, Paddlesteamers -
Most hosting an unfamiliar crew.

On the beaches of Dunkirk,
Our soldiers were trapped,
And, by the German troops,
They were being attacked.

Navigating shallow waters,
They plucked them from harm,
And transported them back to
The safety of the Harbour's arms.

During World War Two,
The 'Little Ships' played such a big part,
And their great achievement,
Will stay forever etched in our hearts