Hi all,
I thought some of you may be interested in this (rare?) poem by Enid. As it's not really something for the children, I thought it might not have been mentioned on the website or in the magazine previously.
Unfortunately, it comes from an archived Australian newspaper which was bound and the last word of some lines is missing (though you can guess many of them) but I thought I would post a screen-shot here for any of the scholars to have a look at.
Apparently it originally appeared in the 'Sunday Graphic' in June 1946.
The first verse of the poem appears to be:
How I wish that each MP
Owned a wife who was just like me
Who'd curse him when she stood in queues
To buy her hapless children shoes
(And then was told the ??? Trade
Has said 'that size must not be made!')
Four more verses here and I thought others might try to fill in the missing words from them.
https://ibb.co/S7m7Fyb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Though Enid may have been wise to keep the issue of rationing out of her children's books, she obviously had issues with it!
Lament of a Housewife (1946 rationing poem)
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: Lament of a Housewife (1946 rationing poem)
Most interesting. Many thanks, GG.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
Re: Lament of a Housewife (1946 rationing poem)
An interesting poem.
I think I worked out several of the missing words, but others have left me scratching my head.
I think I worked out several of the missing words, but others have left me scratching my head.
Society Member
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26895
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: Lament of a Housewife (1946 rationing poem)
That is interesting, GloomyGraham.
In the verse you quoted, I think the fifth line ends with "Board of Trade".
In my mind I've finished the cut off lines as follows, though they may not be accurate:
Owned a wife who was just like me
...when she stood in queues
To buy her hapless children shoes
...The Board of Trade
...must not be made!")
...with a carving knife
...if he rations bread
...boys and girls are fed
...half his share
...cupboards bare
...wives of all M.P.s
...bended knees
...cut our soap
...how can we cope
...stains and dirt
...wash his shirt!)
...greet with howls
...cows and fowls
...that here
...will appear
...it's clear/plain to see
... my dear M.P.
...an M.P.'s wife
...an awful life
...and you
...children too
...rights that must be recognised
...nationalised.
In the verse you quoted, I think the fifth line ends with "Board of Trade".
In my mind I've finished the cut off lines as follows, though they may not be accurate:
Owned a wife who was just like me
...when she stood in queues
To buy her hapless children shoes
...The Board of Trade
...must not be made!")
...with a carving knife
...if he rations bread
...boys and girls are fed
...half his share
...cupboards bare
...wives of all M.P.s
...bended knees
...cut our soap
...how can we cope
...stains and dirt
...wash his shirt!)
...greet with howls
...cows and fowls
...that here
...will appear
...it's clear/plain to see
... my dear M.P.
...an M.P.'s wife
...an awful life
...and you
...children too
...rights that must be recognised
...nationalised.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
-
- Posts: 6386
- Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20
Re: Lament of a Housewife (1946 rationing poem)
https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/bly ... perid=4474" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I will see if we can put the whole poem in at some stage.
I will see if we can put the whole poem in at some stage.
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26895
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: Lament of a Housewife (1946 rationing poem)
Thanks, Tony. It would be brilliant to see the whole poem and not have to rely on guesswork!
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
- GloomyGraham
- Posts: 353
- Joined: 08 May 2017, 04:33
Re: Lament of a Housewife (1946 rationing poem)
Ahh - yes!Anita Bensoussane wrote:That is interesting, GloomyGraham.
In the verse you quoted, I think the fifth line ends with "Board of Trade".
Glad to see it does seem to be a bit of a rarity and helps add another verse or two to Enid's vast output.