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The WI'S Poem specially written for us by C. Day Lewis to celebrate our Jubilee Year. The Dream, 191; Let countrywomen have their say In the country's life. More things than raking hay, Scolding the children, scalding the cream Could use our hands and voices. To dispense Womanly kindness and good sense In wider spheres be our creative dream! Is it right we should remain Shadows and house--bound echoes of our men? We are home--makers; but a home's Made richer by the life that from outside We bring it--bees go foraging wide To gather sweetness for the honeycombs. Lonely the life of womankind In scattered farms and villages. We find It hard to bloom in solitude. But if we pool our needs and skills, our great Yearning for closeness, and create A meeting place, a happy sisterhood? Let's make each village good and gay As a ripe cottage garden, to display Our loving care of heart and hand. Let every countrywoman feel that she 15 a shareholder, a trustee And guardian of this green and pleasant land. The Growing You should have seen this place, dear soul, Fifty years ago! A dead--alive hole Nothing but candles or paraffin lamps, And damp enough to give you the cramps (Yet I had to walk a hundred yards for drinking water). As the War grew longer and the food got shorter, They roared to us countryfolk for more -- though when It was over, like they'd chuck us on the midden again. 'Hornes for heroes'! Them as returned, A raggedy cottage was all they had earned, A cess-pool -- the rural slum untouched -- And a boozer to forget what a government had pledged. It was a hard and narrow life For all of us -- maiden, spinster, wife. No wonder we nagged. Well, the Institute taught us To use our tongues for a seemlier purpose. We nagged for piped water and electric light; we nagged For a school bus: we ran the authorities ragged Till we got what we wanted. You take my meaning.> ~ The countryside needed a good spring--cleaning. Oh, we've known our troubles. The old squire's missus Thought it was her job to rule and organise us: Parson wanted the chapel folk kept out.