Hindsight ( Blackpool August 1939)

It's an old photograph,

Sepia in hue.

Just the two of you

on Blackpool promenade,

basking in the warmth

of late summer sunshine,

about to embark

on a lifetime of marriage.

The clothes are light

and the smiles lighter still,

a day full of candy floss

and 'kiss me quick' hats,

yet in the background

just beyond the cameras scope

a cloud is gathering,

dark,foreboding and evil

in its' intent.

It whispers of barrage balloons

and hideous gas masks

and promises broken

and declarations made.

You smile passed it

hands entwined, fervently hoping...

no, believing..

it might never come to pass.

Author's Note

Inspired by a photograph of my grandparents, on holiday in Blackpool August 1939 - just weeks before the outbreak of war

Reviews

[Donald Meikle]

Loved it with fireworks bursting behind the ferris wheel. The war was just over. Guy Fawkes day bus ride.
Thanks for lighting it up again.

[Hotwater]

Top draw!

*bird*

[.]

~ brilliantly written, dearest shelley... the detailing is stunning... and the sensitivity of the moment comes through very well too... it must've been an amazingly polarized time in the history of the world... (as we all know)... no one could've predicted the sheer scale and magnitude of what was about to happen... ~ you took me back to that moment... reading this piece was like time traveling... stunning work...

[New Dawn]

Thank you Serah - this photograph always intrigued me - the thought of holidaying when the world stood on the brink of war. With hindsight it seems foolish but my grandmother always says that though they were aware of the threat they all hoped it wouldn't happen

[.]

~ you're very welcome, my friend... ~ since i majored in history, i know that there was no way to predict what was going to happen... i guess going for a holiday is a bit like writing a poem and hoping for peace... so, i'd say your folks were just being poetic... :)
~ if only our leaders were a bit more poetic, there'd be no war...
~ these days there's a lot of tension here on the india-pakistan border, and we're all hoping that it de-escalates soon... and complete peace is restored...

[quinfinn]

oh, but this is wonderful. i haven't heard the term candy floss in years. your imagery is superb and i could almost smell the sea air and hear the air raid sirens. i do so miss England. haven't been home since 68....lovely to read your hand!

[New Dawn]

glad you enjoyed it so much - i tried to capture the contrast between the comforting familiarity of a bank holiday in Blackpool and the ominous rumours of war.

[Distant horizons]

Perfectly capturing the beauty of an old photograph, full of future dreams and aspirations, as well as fear of what's to come, hidden from the camera by smiles, but no doubt still, in the thoughts of all at the time. Reminds me of pictures of my parents as children with their parents of the same time Seeing these photos as a child made me think the war didn't happen here or involve them in any way, yet growing up to understand the price everyone paid, paints differing images at each showing. My Mum was evacuated to Ireland for two years with her sisters and mother. And of course, that was a brilliant decision by those in charge. We live in Clydebbank, that was massively destroyed during the blitz due to the shipyards and industry in the town. And Mum still says it was better days back then because of the community spirit. Maybe she is right. I'll shut up now :-)
Beautifully penned.

[New Dawn]

I always felt it amazing that they could appear so carefree in this photograph knowing what was about to happen but of course they couldn't really imagine what was about to descend upon their lives. Glad to say they were unscathed - my grandad was refused by the army due to a stomach ulcer and spent the war working by day and on duty with the home guard at night. he often fell asleep on duty so perhaps it's best the enemy never landed. They married had a daughter , bought a house and all with a matter of fact attitude, as though such an existance was the norm. Don't make them like that any more!

[Distant horizons]

No, they do not :-)