Column: Since the Dawn of Time - ANZAC by rufina caraid; I-Like-Rhymes at All poetry

Poems have been written about War since the dawn of time, yet the stature of the greatest of World War 1 poets is unquestioned.

Some of the most beautiful poetry ever written has come from the horrors of the trenches. Represented here are poems quickly written in the full awareness of the battlefield, and some written with the benefit of hindsight.

April 25th 1915 – a day never to be forgotten by the Australasian forces. Immortalised in words and music, by word of mouth through generations of survivors and their families. Once again on Friday 25th April 2008, millions of people will wave their flags and some not really knowing why will hopefully ask the question! To be told that this generation of men, fought, bled and died in a foreign land and should not be forgotten.

The list of poems you see here are a minute representation of the thoughts, prayers, sights, sounds, memories and dreams of men who fought, lost their Sons, Fathers, Brothers Some even their sanity.

Lest We Forget!

There are thousands of poems written during and after a War which affected so many people in so many different ways, most of which we could not begin to imagine. The men and women who fought, The Mothers and wives at home, the children who never knew their Fathers. Mysteries abound about relatives who never returned, and those who returned in body only, leaving their mind, spirit and soul at the Somme, Gallipoli or the Dardanelles.

TWO EPITAPHS

Simonides(480 BC)

Thermopylae

Go tell the Spartans, thou that passest by,
That here, obedient to their laws, we lie.
~~~~~
Rudyard Kipling (1918)

If any question why we died,
Tell them, because our fathers lied.

~~~

The ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) tradition is very important to the Australian and New Zealand psyche. It relates to a "glorious" defeat which commenced on April 25, 1915. The Australasian troops, under the command of British Generals, began an assault on Turkish positions at Gallipoli. The campaign was poorly organised, troops landed at the wrong spot, due to mis-information. The Turkish soldiers were in very well defended positions. The Australian and New Zealand "diggers" fought bravely but eventually had to withdraw. The bravery of the men in attempting to achieve the ultimately impossible task, set the standard for bravery and fortitude throughout Australasia.

ANZAC
by John Sandes

Say not that they are dead who fell
By Anzac's storied Cove.

The better of them shall dwell

Within the land they love.
And though they fell by Lonesome Pine
'Neath Northern stars, apart,
Their home lies southward of the Line,
In Australasia's heart.

http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/118556-John-Sandes-ANZAC

Gallipoli & Dardanelles

Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/3336-Wilfred-Owen-Dulce-Et-Decorum-Est-Pro-Patria-Mori
Wilfrid Owen

Amos N Wilder

The Road to Bayonvillers
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/34340-John-Allan-Wyeth-The-Road-to-Bayonvillers-wbr-
John Allan Wyeth

A Lark above the Trenches

http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/43736-John-William-Streets-A-Lark-above-the-Trenches

John William Streets

Gethsemane
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/21220-Rudyard-Kipling-Gethsemane
Rudyard Kipling

The Anzac on the Wall
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/109905--Anonymous-Oceania-The-Anzac-on-the-Wall
Anonymous Oceania

A Poem for Remembrance Day

"The inquisitive mind of a child"

Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?
Selling poppies in town today.
The poppies, child, are flowers of love.
For the men who marched away.

But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?
Why not a beautiful rose?
Because my child, men fought and died
In the fields where the poppies grow.

But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?
Why are the poppies so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child.
The blood that our soldiers shed.

The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy.
Why does it have to be black?
Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.
For the men who never came back.

But why, Mummy are you crying so?
Your tears are giving you pain.
My tears are my fears for you my child.
For the world is forgetting again.

Author Unknown

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Adding your comment:
Greystrokes
April 28, 2008
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May We Never Forget
This is a terrific tribute page you have put together!

I was very moved. Thank you for sharing this.

Regards
Mark
- rufina caraid
  May 2, 2008
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  Thank you for visiting the Anzac column Mark. It's always a labour of love for me and if i'm still around in 2015 - trust me that tribute will be a real beaut!
  Regards from Brisbane
  Von
  Oldpoetry Team
Charley Noble
April 27, 2008
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Von-

Very nicely done and a great response from our members.

Pleased to see C. Fox Smith's poem "Farewell To Anzac" linked, which was composed shortly after the evacuation of Gallipoli.

If I could recommend a contemporary song on this theme it would be "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogel.

Charley Noble
- rufina caraid
  April 27, 2008
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  Eric Bogle's song is simply amazing. I know every word and over the Anzac weekend it was played quite a lot with the program advertising on Foxtel. A poignant mixture of scenes from Wars ! and 2 accompanied the lyrics and I would defy anyone to watch it without a lump in their throat or a tear on their face. Working with the Aged i don't only think about the Wars on 'special days', it's with me, and most of them every day.
  Von
Yemassee
April 26, 2008
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Very informative column, being an American, we know very little of what Australia and New Zealand suffered and triumphed during the war. Our history tends to be skewed toward our participation in the war, and even that has faded into a measure of obscurity.

More people should write of history on AllPoetry and Storywrite, and I'm guilty of not doing my part as well.

As I mentioned, it was an enjoyable, informative read, lots of good poems and poets mentioned, hopefully they'll receive a few clicks.
angel-lover
April 25, 2008
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thank-you for taking the time to add this page its very moving and anzac is something i keep very close to my heart.
MargaretG
April 25, 2008
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This is a very moving tribute, thank you for your sensitive treatment of a difficult subject.
In this day of gender equality we must be equally concerned for our daughters as sons; "the world is forgetting again."
Thank you.
Sunshine Always
April 25, 2008
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The world is indeed forgetting again. Will we ever learn? A heartbreaking poem that sent goosepimples down my spine as I read.The children must learn!!Wonderful....mal
MJ Donnelly
April 24, 2008
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Aw, a most moving article, and as a military veteran, I can deeply relate.

Love and peace always,
mj.
wizbang99
April 24, 2008
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war is shite
may I recommend one of my own..."Battle Hymn"
http://allpoetry.com/poem/2738394
sometimes war must be fought, but its never glorious....
pappacass
April 24, 2008
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tremendous tribute to our men and women
loved that last poem...it was written so gracefully....childs questions with truthful answers...unbelievable tribute
poppa
April 24, 2008
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What a fantastic tribute to all those who have sacrificed everything so that we may live in relative safety and peace....as Plato said "Only the dead have seen the end of war"...

LEST WE FORGET.....
Nogod
April 24, 2008
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Many thanks to those that put this wonderful tribute together. It is by far the most moving experience I have had on Allpoetry in 7 or 8 years.

From my Great Grandfather, Grandfather and father all of whom saw service in WW1 and 2 respectivly we thank you.

Thanks, tears now!

Kind Regards

Dave.
- rufina caraid
  April 24, 2008
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  It took me quite a while to choose the poems, pictures etc Dave but it was worth it. I'm a great believer in 'Lest We Forget' as I don't believe WW1 or WW2 should ever be forgotten, As an Aussie, Anzac Day and of course Remberance Day are very important to me, so I go the extra mile to 'jog' memories.Thank you for making my day. The column was a labour of love on my part and it was my pleasure to bring it to your attention. I'm so pleased you have been able to take something away with you from it.
  Regards,
  Von - Brisbane
catz
April 24, 2008
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"The Poem of Remembrance" is a very touching, poignant piece, Von, and perhaps even moreso in the light of present day war which shows the families of our brave men and women as they watch and wait for their loved ones to come home.

This is a very informative and interesting column, Von, and I intend to visit the links you've given us.

Thanks for all the wonderful work you do on oldpoetry. Great job

love and
Dee
- rufina caraid
  April 24, 2008
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  Thank you for your visit Dee. I'm so glad there is still respect for all the defence forces of the 2 World Wars.
  History does have a habit odf repeating itself, as with current wars and/or conflicts around the world.
  It seems never-ending and so should our respect for the people who fought in these wars.
  Regards, Von
Shenton
April 23, 2008
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MY DAD - France 27 August 1918.
My Dad was almost killed
by someone he’d never met
and never would...
and,
if he'd died, then
I wouldn’t be here
to tell you about it,
would I?

Perhaps he too was young,
this ‘someone,’
believing his field-grey Gott
was with him
as he pulled the lanyard
that sent the Kaiser's shell
into a whistling trajectory
to shrapnel the British gun-crew.

No ‘med-evac dust-off’ then
to help a man survive...
Just stretcher bearers,
aid-posts and the like,
and ambulance trains and boats,
crowded with wounded khaki-clad trippers
returning from Boulogne and beyond
...to Blighty.

M.A.S.Williams, ED, Col RAE ret'd.

Written in memory of Lt J. S. Williams, MC RFA d.1923.
hugh wyles
April 23, 2008
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Not all the words that poets wrote
nor volumes by historians penned,
can abrogate the dying note
of bugles at the battle’s end.

And you, my son, who stands before
this cenotaph that bears the name
of men who fought and fell in war;
will you go out and do the same?
WeenieBoy1990
April 23, 2008
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The Inquisitive mind of a child
what a poem...speechless
I-Like-Rhymes
April 23, 2008
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A fine tribute Von, both to some excellent poets but more importantly to some brave young men!
LarryATilander
April 23, 2008
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I'm a little shocked
that you didn't mention anything from Robert Service's Rhymes of a Red Cross Man.
DolphinLass
April 23, 2008
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thanks for sharing...and very true...lest we forget
just mercedes
April 23, 2008
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I didn't see Ode to the Fallen in amongst your list - it is recited at every R S L club in Australia at 6pm, and is always an Anazac Day inclusion, in every ceremony I've been at.
- rufina caraid
  April 23, 2008
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  Hello Pania, Thanks for dropping by. There is a poem from Laurence Binyon in this list 'Gallipoli' - you can easily find the link to 'The Fallen' 4th stanza. That particular poem has been included on other War tributes from Oldpoetry over the years.
  I do hope you pay us a visit and check out some of the other fine WW1 poems and poets.
  Regards,
  ~Von~ Oldpoetry~
  
  ps I checked out your page and found this striking piece - including the link for others to follow.
  
  http://allpoetry.com/poem/3873487
- - just mercedes
    April 23, 2008
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    Thank you for putting this link on your page - I am honoured.
rufina caraid
April 22, 2008
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World War 1
I realise that as the years pass and the men and women who were alive during this War are very few in number
Which, I believe is the reason I continue to bring to the attention of as many people as I'm able the Poetry of WWI.
Some of the most beautiful poetry ever written entered the minds of men in the most horrific conditions. We cannot ever conceive in our own imagination the deprivation suffered in the trenches, the smell and the lack of any personal dignity.
A whole generation of young men were sacrificed during this particular War, some of which left poems as their legacy for us all to gain a little insight into the madness which was known as the First World War.
Photographic images show cheerful faces smiling in the face of adversity, brought on by their fellow men. Comradeship built on truth and trust endured. Many of the men were nameless faces and this is why they should not be forgotten. They fought believing that this was the ‘war to end all wars’, of course we know that it never did achieve that goal as Wars continue on in our own lifetime.
WWI was a bloody, dirty and cruel unnecessary catastrophe.
LEST WE FORGET!
~Von~
- Lyndon
  April 25, 2008
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  On behalf of Winklings
  I salute you, Von ... from Ron of Mapleton.
  Bruce Dawe lives on the Sunshine Coast and I would love to present the link to his "Homecoming".
  http://masenglish.wikispaces.com/Homecoming+-+Bruce+Dawe
  
  Lest we forget ...
  
  Ron.