The Fate of France
(JOAN ALCOCK – U.lVa)
Our ally once, the peaceful land of France,
With us it helped to wield one common lance
Against oppression and the hand of war-
Upholders of the international law.
Unknown, the traitor worked to bring about
A state of distrust and of fear and doubt
Till, wrecked by vile intrigue, this land of fame
Was forced to give up all in fear and shame.
The pen is raised - the fatal treaty signed!
This land, with vineyards once so richly lined,
Now to the onward rush of enemy force
Is sacrificed, and Fate must take its course.
The Balloon Barrage
(JOAN BESWICK – U.lVa)
While gazing up into the sky,
One sunny April day,
I saw, as well as birds and flies,
Balloons of silver grey.
They towered above the chimney pots,
Above the tree tops too,
As far as human eyes could see
They shone amidst the blue.
Rescued Cargo
(PICKERING, A. – L.Va)
(With apologies to John Masefield)
Prison ship of Germany from distant Paraguay,
Sneaking home to haven near Norway's neutral shore,
Loaded up with sailors
From Britain's merchant fleet,
Officers and seamen, all prisoners of war.
Stately British warships coming from the westward,
Searching for this Ship of Hate, to set their comrades free,
With the help of the Air Force,
Wireless and searchlights,
Eventually they found her within a fiord's lee.
Sturdy British warship's men boarded German raider,
Rescued brave three hundred from their floating prison cell:
With a cargo of British tars
With happy hearts and free
They sailed home to port, having done their duty well.
The Million or Two
(SYBIL YATES – U.Va)
Boys and men in their homes,
Here in this island of ours,-
Rarely great fame to them comes;
They remain unknown for a while,
But then at the outbreak of war,
When loud roar the enemy's guns,
The leaders of men call loud,
For the country's unknown ones.
Yes! everyone is needed,
Every nameless, unknown man.
The leaders' call is heeded
And keenly go they forth.
The fate of our isle depends,
Not on the famous few,
Whose names will forever live,
But on the help of a million or two.
Many a brave leader may fight
And glorious honours receive,
But without the help of his men
Few victories would he achieve.
It's the men who stand at his back,
Who help to carry him through;
If they failed to follow him on,
There's little one man could do.
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