ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Dawn on Anzac Day
© Will Moody 2010

“I’ll meet you at the cenotaph at dawn on Anzac Day.”
The blokes from my battalion...every year, that’s what we say.
We share a minute’s silence there, and then recite The Ode.
Recalling mates, forever young, and the debt that’s owed.

Then later on we muster ranks to march along the street
with military bands to spur on old and feeble feet.
The crowds will cheer as ever and they’ll keep us going strong...
all smiling, waving...weeping...as each unit stumps along.

And filling out our ranks there’ll be some there who are too young
to know the horrors seen by we old men they march among.
They’re marching for the honour of their father’s father’s name.
Though missing from their unit’s ranks, remembered just the same.

For every year among us march the ever-growing hosts
of those… “The Unforgotten”...our unseen comrades’ ghosts.
Already gone the diggers who had fought in The Great War;
and soon will all the veterens of The Second be no more.

Though time must take its toll on us, until we all are gone,
that bond that’s bound us all these years, I’m certain, will live on.
And ever shall my spirit come, though life be sped away...
“I’ll meet you at the cenotaph...at dawn...on Anzac Day."

Lovely Will. The ranks are sadly thinning.

Heather

Beautifully written poem & tribute, Will, well done mate.

As always Will a touching poem beautifully crafted. Well done Particularly liked these lines

For every year among us march the ever-growing hosts
of those… “The Unforgotten”...our unseen comrades’ ghosts.

Cheers

Maureen