The Land Girl Looks Back

by Hilda Kaye Gibson (1925-2013)

60 Bright summers and 60 Green springs
60 chill autumns have melted away
Some wrinkled autumns have vanished
In flames
Hair that was golden is turning to grey
Nightime in Norfolk was silent and still
Sunsets were glorious filling the skies
Endless horizons and demon east winds
Whirling the fast freezing snow in our eyes
Someone was fighting by proxy for me
I took his place in the village he knew
Gown shop to hen huts from feathers to furs
Hardships were plenty, luxuries few
Calm and content in a world full of strife
Etched on my memory, a time of my life