Someone Else's War

[Mal McLean]

Someone Else’s War.

Still fighting other people’s wars,
but not our own, without a cause,
I guess that’s something of our flaws,
we Australians.

They never tell you at the start
about the bodies blown apart,
but try to win with mind and heart,
that’s just bullshit.

A contact all that day and night,
you didn’t think you’d be alright,
the bloke beside you blown from sight.
Killed in action.

If ever we forget to pray
for heroes on Remembrance day,
whatever god there is, might say,
‘Be thou grateful.’

Yet all around the cab’net room
the politicians preen and groom
as poppies gather at the tomb;
Unknown Soldier.


Long after all the reasons gone
the war drags on and on and on,
so bring the heroes home anon,
not in coffins.

It’s someone else’s war we fight.
A feeling that it isn’t right
as soldiers freeze in Afghan night.
Do we fail them?

Money and power settle scores.
Is that why soldiers go to wars?
Not much to do with noble cause
for the diggers.

Up in the halls of might and wealth
where gathers gold accrued by stealth
the bastards lie and drink the health
of old soldiers.

Sitting at the board room table
men of wealth and power enable
calls to arms upon the fable,
for their profit.


On ‘ wreaths of poppies dewed with tears’
we walk with friends of many years,
and branded both by blood that sears
the alliance.

But if they say to you my son
‘Put down your tools, pick up a gun’,
then ask, ‘How will this war be won?
Is it ours?’

If someone else’s war we fight
can we be certain that it’s right?
Seek peace in sleep but wake in fright,
for the soldier.

So if you still believe, then pray,
don’t leave them for another day,
God bring our heroes safe this way,
to Australia.

And all around the parli’ment
condolence messages are sent,
but who will ask just why they went?
Ask the widows.


ROLL OF HONOUR

Sergeant Andrew Russell
Trooper David Pearce
Sergeant Matthew Locke M.G.
Private Luke Worsley
Lance Corporal Jason Marks
Signalman Sean McCarthy
Lieutenant Michael Fussell
Private Gregory Michael Sher
Corporal Mathew Hopkins
Sergeant Brett Till
Private Benjamin Renaudo
Sapper Jacob Moerland
Sapper Darren Smith
Private Scott Palmer
Private Timothy Aplin
Private Benjamin Chuck
Private Nathan Bewes
Trooper Jason Brown
Private Grant Kirby
Private Thomas Dale
Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney
Corporal Richard Atkinson
Sapper Jamie Larcombe
Sergeant Brett Wood M.G.
Lance Corporal Andrew Jones
Lieutenant Marcus Sean Case
Sapper Rowan Robinson
Sergeant Todd Langley
Private Matthew Lambert
Captain Bryce Duffy
Corporal Ashley Birt
Lance Corporal Luke Gavin

And all around the parli’ment
condolence messages are sent
but who will ask just why they went?
Ask the widows.

© MM Beveridge *
9th November, 2011.

* Acknowledgement: The line ‘…wreaths of poppies dewed with tears’ is from an article by Christopher Bantick entitled “Poppies remind us of sacrifices made whenever Australians go to war” published in the Courier-Mail and other newspapers on Wednesday 9th November 2011, an article that should be compulsory reading for all.
Casualty list sourced from Wikipedia.

Lest we forget.

Mal

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thank you Mal - your voice is the voice of many. Well said Mate

Cheers

Maureen

[manfredvijars]

Well put Mal, Lest We Forget!

[Terry]

G/day Mal,
I agree mate.
It's time we got out out this conflict we're in now, our boys are far too precious to be wasted in this stupid war.

Terry

[Heather]

I'm glad you put the Honour Roll in there Mal. It brings it home. That list just keeps on getting longer unfortunately.

Heather

[william williams]

I Hope you all apreciate this with it's thoughts and it's truth

Bill Williams

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well..
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

It's the Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the Press.
It's the Military, not the poet who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty , and the pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Military, that salutes the flag, that serves beneath it, who's coffins are draped by it.

[Mal McLean]

Coming from a long line of soldiers, and having been one myself, I absolutely agree.

Mal