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Since the Dawn of Time - ANZAC

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

In Flanders Field
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/6634-John-McCrae-In-Flanders-Field
John McCrae

From The Dug-Out; A Memory of Gallipoli
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/97981-A-P-Herbert-From-The-Dug-Out--A-Memory-of-Gallipoli
A P Herbert

The New Aeneid - (In Gallipoli)
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/34253-Alexander-Robertson-The-New-Aeneid----In-Gallipoli-
Alexander Robertson

Gallipoli
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/43732-John-William-Streets-Gallipoli
John William Streets

Gallipoli
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/53021-Dame-Mary-Gilmore-DBE-Gallipoli
Dame Mary Gilmore DBE

Gallipoli
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/55017-Robert-Laurence-Binyon-Gallipoli
Robert Laurence Binyon

Song of the Dardanelles
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/32294-Henry---Lawson-Song-of-the-Dardanelles
Henry Lawson

The Riderless Horse
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/99785-John-O-Brien-The-Riderless-Horse
John O Brien

To R. - at Anzac
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/34002-Aubrey-Herbert-To-R----at-Anzac
Aubrey Herbert

Farewell To Anzac
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/47926-Cicely-Fox-Smith-Farewell-To-Anzac
Cicely Fox Smith

Suvla Bay
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/34237-W-H-Littlejohn-Suvla-Bay
W H Littlejohn

Anthem For Doomed Youth
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/3334-Wilfred-Owen-Anthem-For-Doomed-Youth/2
Wilfrid Owen

Was It a Dream?
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/37650-Amos-N-Wilder-Was-It-A-Dream-

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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1 - 27 of 27

  • Greystrokes silver member
    April 28
    Edit | Reply

    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 silver member
      May 2
      Edit | Reply
      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 silver member
    April 27
    Edit | Reply
    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 silver member
      April 27
      Edit | Reply
      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 silver member
    April 26
    Edit | Reply
    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
    Edit | Reply
    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 silver member
    April 25
    Edit | Reply
    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.

  • fool no1
    April 25
    Edit | Reply
    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 gold member
    April 24
    Edit | Reply
    Aw, a most moving article, and as a military veteran, I can deeply relate.



    Love and peace always,
    mj.
  • wizbang99
    April 24
    Edit | Reply

    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
    Edit | Reply

    tremendous tribute to our men and women

    loved that last poem...it was written so gracefully....childs questions with truthful answers...unbelievable tribute

  • poppa silver member
    April 24
    Edit | Reply
    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
    Edit | Reply
    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 silver member
      April 24
      Edit | Reply
      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 Moderators member
    April 24
    Edit | Reply
    "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 silver member
      April 24
      Edit | Reply
      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
    Edit | Reply

    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 silver member
    April 23
    Edit | Reply

    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
    Edit | Reply

    The Inquisitive mind of a child

    what a poem...speechless

  • I-Like-Rhymes gold member
    April 23
    Edit | Reply
    A fine tribute Von, both to some excellent poets but more importantly to some brave young men!

  • LarryATilander
    April 23
    Edit | Reply

    I'm a little shocked

    that you didn't mention anything from Robert Service's Rhymes of a Red Cross Man.

  • DolphinLass silver member
    April 23
    Edit | Reply
    thanks for sharing...and very true...lest we forget

  • pania gold member
    April 23
    Edit | Reply
    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 silver member
      April 23
      Edit | Reply
      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

      • pania gold member
        April 23
        Edit | Reply
        Thank you for putting this link on your page - I am honoured.

  • rufina caraid silver member
    April 22
    Edit | Reply

    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~
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