How glad I am to have known the joy

Of knowing the England I knew as a boy.

Of youthful freedom unconfined

That saw stretched limb and questing mind

Down lanes and byways beckoning me

To be part of all I could hear and see;

That was so alive following so much death,

As a land and its people drew new breath;

With those who took their part in war

Torn by relief and guilt that bore

Upon changed lives left to pursue,

Rationed by what victory deemed was due.

Yet this was lost on my childhood mind

And I was allowed to seek and find 

Such delights I gratefully relish now,

Looking back and realising how

Fortunate - and glad - I was to know

What I knew of that England I knew long ago.

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