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…..

   Yesterday for now is gone
   Zeal for life and peace lives on.