A TarHeel's Reflections: Rosie

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A few years ago, my good friend Ed Hake (DC3 Aviation Museum)
wrote a nice piece about Rosie the Riveter asking the question
"Rosie, where are you now?"

After reading Ed's piece, I thought about Rosie and how she might answer -
This is what I came up with.

"I'm Still Here"
by Margie Kye

Wow, it's been quite a while since I last heard that name -

"Rosie". It really takes me back down Memory Lane.

Those were the hardest days I've ever had to face.

So much to learn, so much to do, and in an unfamiliar place.

I missed you so bad I thought my heart would break,

But I knew we had to do this, for the difference we would make.

I learned to use that heavy gun and drive those rivets true

'Cause I knew the one who flew on her could easily be you!

"God, please bless this Gooney Bird," over each I prayed;

"Take care of them, keep them safe, and bring them home again."

V-E Day, V-J Day, at last the end of the strife.

Thanks to God Almighty, we can get on with the rest of our life.

Not wanted any longer, I guess my job is done;

A GI who's come home from war now has my rivet gun.

I'll admit I was confused at first, and a little out of sorts;

'Cause no one seemed to know or care about how we'd held the fort!

But soon I came to realize it wasn't just you and me -

It was all of us together that won this victory.

So I went back to the kitchen, took care of kids and home;

Never said much about the time you were gone and I was alone.

But sometimes while I'm doing dishes or some other mundane chore,

I remember service rendered while you were off at war.

You asked what I was smiling at and I answered with a shrug;

No need to bring it up 'cause you're here to give me a hug!

So without headlines and hardly any thanks

We built thousands of airplanes and thousands of tanks

We did what we did because it had to be done.

We did what we had to do to support you at the front.

You may not realize it and be completely unaware,

But if the need arose again, Rosie would answer, "I'm still here."

Not me this time, too much time has passed, too much silver in my hair;

But I have no qualms or doubts about Rosie's replacement and heir.

I've done my best to teach her and prepare her to take on the world.

For the next "Rosie", my dear, is our own little girl!

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