MOM DAD WAR AND GRACE


Just the very thought of him, like an artist’s stroke of his
Paintbrush, sealed a promise of a lifetime of tomorrows.
I finally had found myself and, knew my purpose in life.

The instant you were within sight, your brass insignia 
Flashing and reflecting in the noonday sun,
Your proud salute, your handsome face, your stiff
Somewhat inward arched back which I stroked every night,
Invoked ripples right now, which ran up and down my spine, the 
Way you held your sword, straight and unwavering towards the skies.
My husband, my colonel the youngest most decorated, admired man
On this army base, and what a lover, little did they know.

Lingering, touching, stroking tantalizing and titillating me,
Beyond the boundaries of the moon and stars, and our infinite galaxy.
I listened to the rhythm of my heartbeat, I had fallen in love with love.

The parade came to an abrupt end as the sirens sounded for to us
To rush to our underground shelters, Duncan ran to me and
Protectively covered my very pregnant tummy with his jacket, 
That is when I saw, felt and experienced the ground shake 
Beneath me as a bomb blasted into the now empty parade field.
We entered the shelter and Duncan immediately took me into
His arms – Iris, sweetheart are you OK, he asked quizzically as he glanced
Down at my tummy with his magnetic blue eyes.  I hoped our baby
Would have his eyes, we sat on the floor as WW ll raged
Above us .  

Suddenly I got a mysterious cramp followed by another
15 minutes later and subsequently by another one.  We timed them.
What were we going to do???!  Word went around a pregnant lady was in 
Labor in the shelter.  A middle-aged bald man stood up, I’m the  one to help, of 
Course it was our camp’s doctor, Captain Docks.

Two women offered to assist him and scouted in the sparse shelter for 
towels and bowls.  Touchingly, many sheltered people tore their garments to be used as towels.
Fortunately there was running hot water.  Except for some unavoidable screams, I was relatively quiet and an hour and a half later, a baby’s cry rang out joyfully, to the clapping and gleeful voices of everybody present.
 
And so Grace was born, not letting us forget that she arrived in the middle of WW ll with loud bombs showering towns, country estates, and Historic buildings exploding on impact, leaving blood-stained pavements, battered country estates, destroying apartments and historic buildings on impact, injuring hundreds sometimes thousands of people, left wailing, screaming, burning, the dead had died on impact, scattered as far as the eye could see like rubber balls.
This was the horrific reality of when and how our beautiful daughter was born, during the bloody result of any War, Grace was everything I expected, she also had a curly mop of black hair like me, and her father's electric blue eyes.

We were a family, our lives now complete.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024


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Date: 6/4/2024 4:57:00 AM
Jennifer, this was a pleasure to read. The story you created or recounted from WWII intertwines creation and destruction. There is such tenderness that was kept and described amidst the destruction all around. The actions of the people were all very noble and it's hard to fathom the destruction on a grand scale.
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Date: 5/29/2024 6:25:00 AM
Good and bad things happen amidst the setting of war. Life is a conundrum! Great emotive write. A fave, Jennifer. Many blessings ~ Kim
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Date: 5/29/2024 5:43:00 AM
Very emotive, expressive and descriptive story written poetic form. That was the best of times and the worst of times combined into one. Miracles happen during the middle of war. Thank you for sharing. Sara K
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Date: 5/25/2024 1:23:00 PM
An enthralling and perplexing story. However, I am not sure if it is true or not. If this is true, I admire your strength and determination. In the midst of all the chaos during World War II, your daughter was born in an underground passage. You have touched my heart with your moving account of this nerve-wracking time and your profound respect for your hubby. On the whole, this is a story that made me feel cold. Warm Hugs and dear Jennifer!
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 5/26/2024 9:05:00 AM
Hi my dear, dear friend Laasad, your wonderful comments are so awesome to read and so heart warming, but had to smile at this one. It is a make believe story based on film I watched recently. If it were true and I had given birth in WW11, then I would be close to 100 years old. Grace was a fictional character who would now be about 15 years older than me born in the early 1940's. But i'm glad that it sounded so very real, but sad I made you sad. Hugs and blessings. Jennifer.
Date: 5/17/2024 1:34:00 AM
Adversity can only be won with kindness and steadfast convictions of what is right or wrong. You are lucky to be in love with love.
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 5/26/2024 9:47:00 AM
Thank-you Victor, love must always be just, loyal trustful and made up of so much love. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Date: 5/17/2024 1:05:00 AM
This is a heart stirring and mind boggling tale. But I doubt if it is fiction or reality. If it is reality, I must applaud your courage and resilience. So, your daughter was born in an underground tunnel amid the turmoil of World War Second. Your description of this tension packed moment and your admiration for your husband are so touching. Altogether, this is a narration that has brought goosebumps in me. Love and hugs, dear Jenny!
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 5/26/2024 9:18:00 AM
My, dearest friend Valsa, love you my poetic friend, but please see my reply to Laasads comment. You also made me smile, but, I'm sad I made you both sad. Hugs, blessings, Jennifer.
Date: 5/11/2024 3:31:00 PM
Your poem intricately weaves together themes of love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The vivid imagery and intimate details bring to life the profound bond between family..
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 5/26/2024 9:44:00 AM
Thank you always my friend for your so meaningful comments, that means so much. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Date: 5/11/2024 9:23:00 AM
WOW!!! What a creative write/story. I enjoyed reading this one. Have A Blessed Weekend Writing Away.........
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Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 5/26/2024 9:57:00 AM
Thank-you Paula, you're not so bad yourself girl, love your graceful, funny, powerful and informative poems, each one a gem. Hugs, blessings, Jennifer.
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