A. P. Herbert

1890-1971 / Ashtead, Surrey

Little Ships

The big ships are short—and the big ships are busy:
A continent is hungry and the high hopes fail.
But here's Mr. Waterman, here's the little Lizzie,
Lying in the river and sighing for a sail.
Bring out the barges, get the tugs together,
Bring the old Sky Lark and the Sarah Jane:
Give them an Admiral—pray for Winston's weather—
And make a mighty fleet of the little ships again.
February 25, 1945
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