Somehow the soda fountain had drastically changed

The feeling and assemblage had been rearranged

The couple we knew had a year ago parted

She’d come in on her own to commune open hearted.

Alone at the counter with one chocolate malt

Trying to glean any news of the front, without fault,

She worked split shift at the Bomber Plant

Our own Rosie the Riveter, never saying, “I can’t!”

Riveting fuselage sections of B-29’s

One of thousands of women, the factory floor, on the line!

Trying to be close to their men far away

War effort for all, they worked night and day.

Jukebox competed with the radio news

“Rum and Coca Cola” was hardly the blues

If the boys away knew how their families pined

For everyone prayed for all the men to be fine.

‘Though our dreamboat, Soda Jerk, was off in the Pacific

Young girls behind counter were doing terrific

Their own style and a wink delivering coffee and pies

Not flirting girls from last year, with their giggles and sighs.

Our girls with the giggles had changed quite a bit

Their smiles of concern had made quite  a hit

A booth in the soda fountain they had set up

Selling War Stamps and Bonds, their help to back up

Couples had come and couples had gone

Yes, war was here and it went on and on.

“War Effort” Important!  Everyone pitch in!

Big bands were swinging, Sinatra was singing…

“Sometimes I wonder why I spend

The lonely night dreaming of a song

The melody haunts my reverie

And I am once again with you.

……….

The nightingale tells his fairy tale

A paradise where roses bloom

Though I dream in vain

In my heart it will remain

My stardust melody,

The memory of love’s refrain.”

…To be Continued

By Flo Lawrence