Missing image
They stand stark in tropical sunlight
But a glow comes from every one
They mark the final resting place
Of fathers, brothers , sons.
They fought as only heroes fight
For their country and their King
No one knew the dangers they'd face
Nor the heartbreak those battles would bring.
They came from ordinary families
From countries some near, some far
They were fighting for our birthright
To remain as free as we are
The lie of the land was uncharted
Thick jungle, steep hills everywhere
They didn't know where the enemy was
'Till gunshots showed they were there
Some died where they stood, unknowing,
Some infected died slower with pain
Some were patched up quite quickly
And sent in to battle again.
All the Hospitals down at Port Moresby
Did miracles with those in their care
And those Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels
Retreived wounded as fast as they dare.
From the mud and slush in the jungle
With the murderous tropical heat
They manually carried the wounded out
That was a truly amazing feat.
Now all that is left are the memories
Of those who fought there and died
So spare a thought for their loved ones
An ocean of tears they have cried.
The markers still stand in the sunlight
Each one name's some mother's son
It must be time to stop fighting
All battles can never be won.
Author notes
The Bomana War Cemetery is in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and the Kokoda Trail Campaign is what the poem is about.
A contest entry
- Memories of Sacrifice - Winklings #142 by Lyndon.
1750 points, ended November 17, 2008, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments please
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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Fantastic piece of work indeed. I don't know how i managed to allow this one to slip by me. Normally i would pounce on poems such as this. A very sad tribute to these much loved fathers, sons, and husbands. Your words described the pityful conditions these people had to endure, the heartaches, the pains and the miserable times that were thrown upon them. The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels were a blessing to so many who had tread those jungles and so many gave their lives to protect these fine men. An absolute marvel of a poem that says everything. God bless you, Bob. This shall be bookmarked.
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I have heard many a report from people who have walked the Kokoda Trail, but it would be reported quite differently if those who went on the guided walks spent an hour or two at the War Cemetery before they went on the walk. They should be remembered, those who gave everything so we could stay free. Thank you for your appreciative comments, I know you understand.
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A lovely tribute to Remembrance Day. The closing stanza provides hope for the future.
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Thank you. Remembrance day is an important time for all the free world. We may learn to be content with peace, one day.
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a well done tribute to Remembrance Day and a rather obscure (to non-Australians) cemetery. Lest we forget.
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Written for Remembrance Day. A tribute to all those who paid the supreme sacrifice for their country. There are many nationalities in the honour roll at Bomana, two American airmen were added in the late 1960's when their WW2 Thunderbolt fighter was found in the jungles not far away. Lest We Forget
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The battles seem never to be won or to and don't they. A very touching poem!
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The battles are never ALL won. The major battle the world has is the Battle for peace and we seem to be losing that one all the time. Thanks for your support and comments, Jackie.
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An awesome job you have done!I love how you bring the truth out into the light for those that do not know the pain that war can cause and the hardships that others endure having no freedom or the freedom to do too much!Please keep doing more work the likes of this poem!We need to awaken the sleeping souls so that they no longer go through life deaf,dumb,blind, and numb!
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At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month its one minutes silence across Australia to remember those who lay down their lives for our way of life. I wrote this poem for that day, remembrance day. I hope many see it and realise the waste of war. I appreciate you thoughts and comments. May the world's leaders see the light one day soon.
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Bob, i think i read this already, but never got to see the picture until now. The poem with it is very revealing and emotional indeed. It is a brilliant piece of work to honour the men who did indeed fight for our freedom and the way of life we have today. I have to congratulate you once again on this piece of work. It is nothing short of amazing and captures the whole feeling of your point.
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Yep, you have read it before. I had minor troubles getting the color slide to scan into the computer and the it didn't want to move to the poem. Perseverence won the day. I entered it into a contest. I appreciate your commenting in depth as you do, thanks a heap. You may have guessed that the picture is one of my own taking. That was in 1968. The color ha slasted well.
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This touches the heart...
with your vivid descriptions of life in wartime PNG. For those of us with no experience of this, these words act as a reminder of the realities servicemen face in war...de-glorifying it and telling it how it was. These are things the public need to hear and you have told this story well. Thank you for the honesty of your words...alby
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I lost an uncle in PNG duringWW2 and I lived up there for about ten years myself in the 60's and 70's. The terrain has to be seen to be believed. There is no glory in war, it's just killing with the Govts approval. Same for both sides. On on ejob where I was working we found a wartime American fighter plane with the remains of the two crew still in it. Not nice at all.
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Great poem Bob!
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I had a personal reason here as well as something for remembrance day. I lost an uncle somewhere up there in PNG during 1943. Thanks for your comments and applause
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Brilliant ! !
What a great job you have done with this one Bob. War is indeed such a horrid thing with so many lives needlessly lost. This poem flowed and rhymed beautifully. Best of luck to you in this contest
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War is a shocking waste of life and materials. It is a pity we can't all get on without having to fight. I thank you for you comments and compliments.
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