ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

THE DIGGER’S DREAM

I dreamt I was in Flanders,
midst the slaughter and the mire,
I dreamt I rose and spoke there
with my heart and soul on fire.

I dreamt I told the soldiers
of the dreadful sin of war,
I dreamt they all agreed
and they swore to fight no more.

I dreamt the politicians
all began to scream and rave
when I offered to them
my place in a muddy grave.

I woke to find the morning
softly dawning clear and bright
and I sadly shed a tear
for the dream I dreamt that night.


Vic Jefferies

So much meaning behind this one Vic, I'm sure the families of war victims wish they could wake from the nightmare. Well written.

Sue

In your dreams Mate as you have shown here.....to much money in wars.....and politicians never never know 'cause they never never go.

Enjoyed the read. A good write

Cheers

Maureen

Thank you Sue and Maureen. 'Tis an old one I wrote some time ago and just thought it needed an airing.

Vic

Don't get me wrong Vic, not infra dig......I was wondering why you placed this poem in Flanders and not some more recent conflict.

Neville, I chose Flanders as the first world war must surely stand as man's ultimate madness.

Vic

Thanks Vic, I know what you mean.

Maureen K Clifford wrote:....and politicians never never know 'cause they never never go.

There are a few that have been ... The West Australian Polly Vietnam Vet ... no legs ... has a great deal of respect ... and there are others ...

You are right Manfred. We even had a fighter pilot and a navigator as Prime Minister (John Gorton and Gough Whitlam.) Do believe we have had many ex servicemen as politicians but the over all thrust of my poem is meant to be that many of the other politicians and world leaders would be a little less hasty to go to war or prolong the fighting if it were they that went to the trenches.

Vic

Meant no disrespect with that comment Vic and my apologies sincerely if I caused offence, as I know there are those who have served - and obviously that would be the case, but IMO politicians are often to quick to proffer heads to the chopping blocks if it appears to serve the national good without really perhaps giving enough consideration to the future ramifications.

Perhaps if the Government heads etc etc who are always keen to wage war were first put into a public arena fully armed and told to go their hardest against each other for a week an then reconsider - they would either rethink or if stupid enough to fight and die would have no need to rethink, a case of putting a boot on another foot.