Jessie Pope
There’s the girl who clips your ticket for the train,
And the girl who speeds the lift from floor to floor,
There’s the girl who does a milk-round in the rain,
And the girl who calls for orders at your door.
Strong, sensible, and fit,
They’re out to show their grit,
And tackle jobs with energy and knack.
No longer caged and penned up,
They’re going to keep their end up
‘Til the khaki soldier boys come marching back.
There’s the motor girl who drives a heavy van,
There’s the butcher girl who brings your joint of meat,
There’s the girl who calls ‘All fares please!’ like a man,
And the girl who whistles taxi’s up the street.
Beneath each uniform
Beats a heart that’s soft and warm,
Though of canny mother-wit they show no lack;
But a solemn statement this is,
They’ve no time for love and kisses
Till the khaki soldier boys come marching back.
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem captures a vivid snapshot of women’s roles during wartime, portraying their resilience and adaptability as they step into roles traditionally held by men. The tone is upbeat and celebratory, shining a light on the competence and determination of these women while maintaining a sense of patriotism and solidarity with the absent soldiers.
The poem focuses on the everyday but significant contributions women made, from clipping tickets to driving vans and delivering goods. It’s written in an accessible, conversational style that emphasizes its theme: women proving their worth in challenging times. The rhyme and rhythm give it a lively, almost marching feel, reinforcing the sense of collective effort and momentum.
What stands out is the balance the poem strikes between admiration for women’s strength and a gentle reminder of traditional expectations. Lines like “Strong, sensible, and fit, / They’re out to show their grit” emphasize their capability and independence, but the repeated refrain about the “khaki soldier boys” returning subtly positions these roles as temporary. This reflects the cultural mindset of the time, where women’s expanded roles were often seen as a stopgap rather than a permanent shift.
The poem also humanizes these working women, noting that “Beneath each uniform / Beats a heart that’s soft and warm.” This sentiment acknowledges their emotional strength while reinforcing a softer, nurturing image, which feels like a nod to traditional femininity. Yet, there’s an insistence that they’ve “no time for love and kisses,” showing their focus and determination during wartime, a direct challenge to stereotypes of women as fragile or preoccupied with romance.
Overall, the poem serves as both a tribute and a morale booster, highlighting the vital role women played in maintaining society while the men were at war. However, its framing of their work as something to be relinquished upon the soldiers’ return suggests an undercurrent of hesitation about fully embracing long-term change. Despite this, the poem conveys a genuine respect for women’s wartime contributions and captures the spirit of a society adapting to extraordinary circumstances.