Friday, 17 July 2015

Poem ~ Dry Paris - Saturday, 17 July 1915


Source: File: General Joseph Simon Gallieni, military governor of Paris.jpg, The Original can be seen at: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gallieni
 [Accessed:  17 July 2015].

The honoured role of Governor
Of Paris, held in historic esteem,
Is given the command of Paris
Garrisons - with emergency of war
General Gallieni was handed office.

As Commander and Governor
Of the capital, Joseph Gallieni
Vowed the national defense,
In September  '14 as a mandate
For him to carry out to the end.

Amid the various regulations
Introduced from war's start,
Included Parisian restrictions
Of alcohol consumption, aimed
At all soldiers regardless of rank.

With the capital of France set
As a central hub, for passages
Of troops, enforced controls
Had applied to cafes or bars
For no sale of dink before 5 p.m.

Despite this, in the earliest days,
Generals and Colonels could
Be seen seated on terraces,
Before the allotted hour, with
Hopes of being served drinks.

With July of 1915 even more
Stringent rules were in force,
By decree of General Gallieni -
Forbidding all alcoholic sales
To soldiers, in any hour of day.

This would be case for a whole
Stay of a soldier's encampment
About Paris - General Gallieni
Believed physical and moral
Intensity should be at highest.

Movement against alcoholism,
That destroyed such virtues,
Should be relentless therefore
He forbid all sales in shops,
Bars and cafes of many drinks.

The list given were liqueurs,
Bitters, absinthe, aperitifs,
Vermouths and also alcoholic
Drinks not specified in list
Yet a journalist challenged this.

Surely wine and beer not
Be included in ban? In hint
Of absurdity being soldiers
On the frontlines had wine
Rations recently increased.

 by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. Teetotal Garrison - Stringent Order in Paris. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 17 July. P.9. Col.6. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11732107/Daily-Telegraph-July-17-1915.html [Accessed: 17 July 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 17 July 2015). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1France

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