My maiden aunt had little chance. br Because the man she was to wed br Was one of those who fell in France br listed as missing presumed dead. br br Her happiness a casualty br which never figured in the news br She had to face reality br a future which she did not choose. br br She was condemned to life alone br Because so many young men died br all chance of motherhood was gone. br She bore her fate with stoic pride. br br She helped to raise her sister’s brood. br Her husband too unfit to go. br She mothered them as best she could br the only joy she’d ever know. br br She was a treasure left unclaimed br a mother she would never be. br Only the Great War could be blamed br for many women’s misery. br br She lived to see a ripe old age. br She died in nineteen forty one br just long enough to see the stage br prepared for another one. br br Another war to end all wars br Just as the first Great War had been. br To her it was a hopeless cause br she saw the slaughter as obscene. br br Young men will answer to the call br but womenfolk are left behind br To mourn their menfolk when they fall br A fate that’s very far from kind. br br I think that she was glad to go br she knew from hard experience. br What other girls would come to know br when sorrow takes up residence. br br 20-Jan-08br br ivor or ivor.