NO CHOCOLATES OR CANDIES
During the war some things were hard to buy,
Ration books restricted you, we all gave a sigh
When we could only have 2 ounces of chocolate,
Whatever you bought always met a quick fate.
Through November and December was the worst of all,
For no chocolate or candies over our lips did ever fall,
For we were saving up for Christmas to have a big treat.
But no goodies for seven weeks was very hard to meet.
But then came Christmas time and in splendour lying there
Would be a big box of chocolates delicious beyond compare
And other extra goodies saved and hidden for the special day,
Christmas time during the war was great in every way.
Extra tins of peaches and jelly cubes found as well,
A goose from farm friends whose names we’d never tell.
Home grown potatoes and turnips stored with care,
Even real rich cream appeared there out of thin air.
This made Christmas special when things were short,
Even when young provident living we were taught.
Santa brought one toy and filled a small stocking,
I think children of today would find this shocking.
Crayons and a drawing book, a whip and top too,
New socks, some nuts, if lucky an orange came through,
Maybe a jump rope or a board game to have some fun,
Whatever you had, the best holiday award it always won.
I look back at those Christmases when I was small,
Always quietly praying that no bombs would fall,
For they may stop Santa coming on his magic sleigh,
But whatever happened all of us loved Christmas Day,
(Millicent) Ann Margetson April 14, 2005