Inevitably most of the poems which Auntie Babs wrote during the First World War were about death and the woes of war.  This little poem was written in 1913, the year before war was declared and is entitled Friendship. I particularly like its simplicity. I don’t know whether it was about a friend who she no longer had any contact wih nor do I know whether it was written about a man or a woman. I find it rather a sad poem and wish I knew what had happened in the friendship to prompt her to write these words.       

FRIENDSHIP

And shall I never see you more my friend
Or ever hold again your hand in mine
And shall I never hear your voice again
Or in your dear eyes see a welcome shine

Though time and space divide us now my friend
And doubting thoughts have come ‘twix you and me
Though you no more may call me your dear friend
Yet still my dearest friend you’ll ever be.

Beatrice Helen Poole.

Another poem written from the heart by Beatrice Helen Poole.  They are mostly very sad but the Great War was filled with sadness therefore it is appropriate.  No month is given when she wrote this in 1916.

To a Lad Killed in Battle

I mourn you poor lad – I mourn you as a son
So young you were, so joyous and so brave
And full of life, it seems impossible
That now you are lying cold in yonder grave.

Oh youth, dear youth you were too young to die
Yet in my heart I can but envy thee
You will not feel the blighting touch of age
The gradual failing of each faculty

So hail and farewell you young and dauntless boy
Hopefully you lived yet fearlessly you died
Through long years ahead I’ll miss your presence bright
But it will remain a happy memory.

Beatrice Helen Poole
1916.

Still more to come!  I am looking into e-publishing Auntie Babs’ poems at some point towards the end of the year to include the World War One Poems but also many of her others too.  

Thanks for reading.

Those of you reading my blog will know that Beatrice Helen Poole known to us as Auntie Babs wrote many poems, and those written during and about the cruel First World War are the ones which I am featuring in my posts.  I have already mentioned in a previous post that she never married and said in her own words that she had lived in single blessedness all her life.

She never discussed any love affairs but from reading many of her poems, it is quite obvious to me that she had loved and lost. Perhaps because she was quite elderly when I started to get to know her, it was something that she no longer wanted to remember.  I probably will never know.but her poems all seem to be from genuine experiences and I would like to think she had experienced true love.

Today I have therefore selected this short poem written on May 22nd 1916.

The Wings of Love

When on the wings of love, my soul goes forth to meet you
To cheer and comfort you upon the cruel field.
Dear, do you feel me there, watching close beside you
Praying my loving heart may be for you a shield?.

Maybe you think my kiss the touch of wandering breezes
And all my glowing love the glimmer of some star.
But Oh, believe me dear, I am truly there beside you
On the strong wings of love, the journey is not far.

Beatrice Helen Poole
22 May 1916

Auntie Babs included amongst her war poems one which was dedicated to the airmen.

It is one of my personal favourites.

Our Airmen at the Front

Oh gallant heart – unconquerable spirit
Almost you seem omnipotent to me
Soaring through space in your chariot triumphant
Like some young God of old mythology.

Upward and on to the limitless blue distance
Through fleecy clouds you pierce your wondrous way
Gloriously fearless – ruthless foes pursuing
Poised in mid air like a monster bird of prey.

Hawk like you hover above fhe foes position
Swiftly returning on your giant wings
Back through the firing line with your information
Buoyant and young as are all bird like things

Oh valiant souls, you claim our admiration
Thus undismayed to face war’s fierce alarms
And when in danger may you feel beneath you
The sure support of our everlasting arms

Beatrice Helen Poole
May 18th 1915.

More next week.

I took one of Auntie Babs’ notebooks away with me on holiday so that I could choose a particularly suitable poem for today 4th August.  Already seeing the tributes on television, so moving and poignant I was right in deciding on her poem entitled “A Tribute”.  It was printed in the East Sussex News.

When I started my blog, I included some information about Beatrice (Babs) and in one blog included photographs, one of which was a scan of her words which were put into a song during the Great War by a french composer Guy D’Hardelot. This was the pen name for Helen Guy who also  composed the music to the song made famous by Mario Lanza – “Because”.

Babs knew her personally and the song is entitled “In England Now”.  I have the original sheet music.  I have also included this poem today as I feel certain it contains the sentiments of so many young men fighting far away for their country, and longing to be back home.

A Tribute

I have no words in which to sing your praise
Oh, Heroes of a thousand noble deeds.
I cannot sing as poets sang of old
Of valiant knights and acts of chivalry.
Yet would I lift my feeble voice in song
And hope some magic power could lend me
For a while the golden tones of England’s
Greatest Bard: – then would I sing a glorious
Song for you, Oh fearless Patriots.
Yet though it echoed to the very stars
Still would there be some wondrous tale untold
Some high endeavour – some sacrifice unknown.
For who will ever know all you have done,
All you have suffered, and so freely given.
For some, alas, will come to the no more
They will not wear their crown of laurels here
Or sing with us the hymn of victory.
And shall we never know the transcendent
Story of their unconquerable souls?
I cannot think that they will go unsung.
Oh, surely those are the songs of heaven?
The songs of triumph that the angels sing
Saying “Oh, no greater love hath man than this,
That he lay down his life for his friends.

Beatrice Helen Poole.

In England Now

It’s blossom time in England now
And in a village far away
Lilacs are blooming and red May
And blackbirds sing the live-long day
In England now.

It’s blossom time in England now
And in a little wood I know
Anemonies and bluebells grow
And on green banks pale cowslips glow
In England now.

It’s blossom time in England now
And yet my dearest memory
Is of a girl who waits for me
And Oh, sweetheart I long to be
With you in England now.

Beatrice Helen Poole

There are still many poems to include relating to the poems of World War One so please continue reading.