ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

G’Day all, I was blown away by the amount of people who attended the Anzac service in Collie this year and especially the amount of young people, it prompted me to go home and write this poem

Thanks editor.

Dave Smith.

At The First Light of Dawn
Dave Smith ©
April 2012

I rise up from my bed feeling cosy and warm,
and dress for the street in the dark of pre dawn.
I walk down the road as I shiver from cold
and join others who walk too; some young and some old.

We head for the park in the centre of town;
the flags being raised and then lowered back down.
We have all come to honour those brave men who lost
the freedom they bought us, at their supreme cost.

There’s a chill in the air on this damp, dawning day
but to suffer the cold is a small price to pay.
For the lads who so willingly all left our shore….
carried never a thought they’d return home no more.

The first rays of light show fine mist in the park,
and I see many silhouettes in that grey dark;
a shake of the hand, nod to others I know,
and the young people’s tears that they try not to show.

I‘ve been coming for years to remember my mates;
it’s so pleasing to see such a crowd at the gates.
Some youngsters I asked why they brave this cold wet;
they answered as one…‘Mate, its “Lest We Forget.” ’

Wow Dave! You have come a long way! Proud of you.

Heather

Thanks Marty B. 'n' Heather it felt good to write that one.

Well done Dave. A very meaningful write.

Cheers
Sue