ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I have just been reading the daily paper, and was bought to tears by the photo on the front page - our soldiers in the middle east saying good bye to their slain mates as they prepare to send their bodies home.
This is for them, and for all the soldiers who fight for our freedom.

A Tribute to Our Soldiers – Khaki Soldiers
© Irene Conner 03.11.11

Khaki soldiers bow their head
in grief, and fight their pain.
Silent tears they cannot shed
for mates, by coward slain.

Sorrow etched on youthful face,
stark shock within their eyes;
courage now these men embrace;
at home, a stranger cries.

Khaki solders - proud and true,
you do not grieve alone.
Feel your country bow with you;
we mourn them as our own

Indeed. Well said Irene - I think this puts into perspective this week the "pain" of having to wait a day or two before getting a flight to your destination.

Marty

IRene, that's so so sad. I've got tears brimming and can't see if I've made a typo ... gotta go get a tissue! We should all be more grateful for our wonderful life, because of these fellows. I feel for their mothers, wives and families.

We will remember them ........... lest we forget.

The wars we fight these days are such public affairs with direct media access that it is hard to understand that the risk is always there.

I listened to an interview with the father of one of these young men and he had nothing but praise for his son and all our other servicemen and women. The pain of the loss was obvious but the pride was there as well.


Beautifully put Irene.

Bob

Heartfelt Irene and beautifully worded - this constant roll call in the papers breaks your heart.

Somewhere in the world every day Mothers weep for their lost children. We weep for our blokes and in Afghanistan Mothers and families there weep for theirs. War's are a fruitless exercise IMO and I just wish we would bring all our sons and daughters home whilst they are still alive.

Thank you. The copy of the photo I have posted doesn't truly capture the full impact of what hit me when I looked at the original photo, because you can't really see the immense sorry and grief, but also pride, on their faces.

These young men are doing such a wonderful job of making the best of a hard situation, and, as an australian, I am very proud of them - and feel for their families and loved ones who wait at home in the hope they will come back safely.

A very poignant poem Irene. It also occurred to me that the Qantas issue took centre stage and this sad and much more important news was almost ignored. It makes ariline problems pale into insignificance.

Heather

Beautifully put Irene,

I also thought the papers ignored this in favor of a bit of petty muscle flexing.
These men have paid the ultimate price for an act of cowardly betrayal.

Terry

Sorry I took so long to get onto this one I had to look up poignant ! ( Sharp and stimulating to the palate, pungent keen piercing and bitter.


I was happy with good one Irene


Bob