Poem - All Clear

All Clear, Coventry 1940

At five a.m. and five years old, I see
Blear-eyed, emerging, stiff, to face the day.
Though sweet, relief’s short lived. As always we
Must now inspect the damage from the raid.

No water will it be this time? No roof?
No electricity? The windows out?
We wearily take stock not needing proof
The Luftwaffe were overhead last night.

Their hard and heavy droning never stopped
Grinding the night and orchestrating fear
Relentlessly till all their bombs were dropped.
They only cleared off home when dawn was near.

The house still stands and we’re okay. So far
So good. The ceilings are all down but that’s
A pinprick. Now to check if neighbours are
All safe. One man is dead, one house knocked flat.

I take off siren suit, get dressed, careful
Of rubble, staring, pick my way to school.

Dorothy Pope

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