A Poem Worth Reading

All registered Forum users can post bush poetry dedicated to all those who served
Post Reply
Terry
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

A Poem Worth Reading

Post by Terry » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:05 pm

This poem arrived by Email and I reckoned it was worth a read so have posted it here.

It's by that well know Author... Anon.

Bob Has since mentioned this one showed an author when he received it

That name being - Lawrence VainCourt


A POEM WORTH READING…..And sharing

(Author unknown)



He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For old Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Someone who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end?

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
Last edited by Terry on Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:39 pm, edited 2 times in total.

mummsie
Posts: 1062
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:33 am
Location: Tumut, NSW

Re: A Poem Worth Reading

Post by mummsie » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:16 pm

You were right Terry, a poem certainly worth reading. Thank you for sharing.


Sue
the door is always open, the kettles always on, my shoulders here to cry on, i'll not judge who's right or wrong.

User avatar
Bob Pacey
Moderator
Posts: 7479
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:18 am
Location: Yeppoon

Re: A Poem Worth Reading

Post by Bob Pacey » Wed Nov 30, 2011 5:31 pm

I got sent it a little while back Terry the author on mine was Lawrence Vaincourt ?


The title Just A Common Soldier


Cheers Bob Yeah a good read.

Had it on fie to learn for ANZAC day next year.
The purpose in life is to have fun.
After you grasp that everything else seems insignificant !!!

Terry
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: A Poem Worth Reading

Post by Terry » Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:35 pm

Hi Sue,
Yes I liked this one, I don't usually post anything I get in Email but thought this one was worth sharing.

Terry

G/day Bob,
Yes I reckon this one would be a good ANZAC poem.
I will make a note on my intro about that name you have supplied.

Cheers Terry

Post Reply