ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

AFGHANISTAN 2012


From Oruzgan the open road
has danger all around.
I met a digger going out
across that barren ground.

I asked him ' Digger, what have you
been doing down that way ? '
He said ' I served obediently
for duty and my pay.
I did the task, I earned my pay '.

' Look! Digger, you've been badly hurt
by some sharp cruel force '
He said ' A mortal wound I've got,
but still I ran the course.
I held the line and stayed the course '.

' Now Digger, why's your uniform
so torn and stained with red ? '
He said ' I've fallen down and lain
among the shattered dead.
I've fallen with the dead '.

' I notice Digger, you're so pale,
your face looks stony cold '.
He said ' My blood pours out to make
that sacrifice of old.
My name will join the names of old '.

' So Digger, why are you alone
and where are all your mates ? '
' My mates have sent me on ahead;
they'll come along some day.
For me the battle's ended and
I'm going home to stay '.

Well said, Neville.

The uniqueness of this years Remembrance Day - 11/11/11 - probably means little to those wondering if that fatal bark of mortality may come from an IED, an unseen enemy ahead or from the bloke behind you who you've armed and 'mentored'.

History shows we learn little from it. Lest we forget.

Marty

Lovely verse Neville, very fitting.
Lest We Forget.

Sue

Perfect Neville - it hits hard. I agree with Marty - ...it is hard enough to fight the war that our blokes are fighting, har much harder must it be when the enemy is within ...very sad.

Cheers

Maureen

Neville, why not add a fifth line to the first verse?

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget

I like the way you've done that Neville.

Lest We Forget.


Heather

I so enjoyed reading your poem Neville, to me it really hit the mark.

Can I have your permission to pass this onto the Cairns RSL.

Dave.

“The day thou gave me lord hath ended.”


Right on cue Neville.

Thanks
Dave Smith.

very good Neville a fitting tribute
bill the old battler