EVACUATING HEREFORD

From Fir Tree Lane junction and the Straight Mile

Near where World War Two hand grenades were found,

They shut roads and placed a cordon around

So they could make things safe army style;

People were moved out of homes for a while

Taking all their pets, every cat and hound;

As warning cones were put down on the ground,

A real nuisance there was hardly a smile.

 

‘I can’t get my workforce in’ said one man

The cross owner of business premises,

But Margaret who’d lived there since forty one

Said ‘I’m not moving out at my expense,

If you’d been here in the war you’d not run

Or be frightened by this kind of nonsense!’

 

Sonnet by David Subacchi

September 2017

First published by Poetry 24 – 18  09 17.