Just after...

 

War weary and tumbledown

no paint, lacking in lustre

acres of empty derelict ground

areas of danger completely sealed off

chipped stonework and burnt stains

windows empty of their panes

walls standing alone and aloof

some buildings with no roof

utitlity wear with no fashion flair

ration books, a nightmare for cooks

Queues formed in orderly line

men and women in khaki and blue

prefabs which were really quite new

people repaired and mended

all had to make do

seldom was anything brand spanking new

Air raid shelters became garden sheds

everyone took stock of what had happened

vegetable plots gave way to flower beds

blackout curtains taken down and

soon replaced by a floral crown.

The signs of new life came into bloom

for us it could not come too soon