HONOUR OUR DEAD

[Maureen K Clifford]

Who else was unaware of this?

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 2b8f3c0f74



HONOUR OUR DEAD ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet
Written for WWI digger...Sgt Sydney Alexander James Smith from Minyip Victoria
32Bn 1st AIF Military Medal and Bar

The War Gods called the young men came,
battlefields soaked in blood and gore
that war was won - the fighting stopped -
but still the War Gods called for more.
Across the world at different times,
young men have fought and died - For what?
On different continents and climes,
they gave their lives, their dreams. One spot
alone was theirs, their final tomb,
their final resting place on earth
some formal, marked with a headstone -
for others unmarked. Their last berth.
The only piece of land they claimed,
and small enough - a scant eight feet
although for some mass graves are shared
and others rest in waters deep.

For Sydney Alexander Smith,
his patch of dirt in Adelaide
is up for grabs now, council say
they need the spot where he is laid.
His old bones tremble in their shroud,
he hopes that this won't be allowed
he rests now in a state of grace
how callous to disturb this place.
His headstone shows he fought and well,
with Military cross and bar
awarded him for courage shown.
He made it back from lands afar
as Sergeant - he fought at Fromelles ;
over seven hundred men lost,
three quarters of their fighting strength -
the careless card the War Gods tossed.

He's earned his little patch of soil,
it was his countries last award.
His bones resting on hallowed ground -
his body wrapped in nature's sward.
Who gives the right to end his dreams?
He earned the right to rest in peace.
Has madness infiltrated man?
Just stop and think...enough...Surcease.
He is the hallowed of our dead,
our history with his bones lies.
That little patch of soil is his -
don't fob us off with alibis.
Just leave him be, honour the dead
and show respect for Sergeant Smith
and leave his headstone to guard him -
it is his final monolith.

[Terry]

Hi Maureen is nothing sacred.

A different slant on war, you're a hero for only a short time in the eyes of some.

Terry

[Heather]

Memorials are very sacred to our modern community, in particular, war memorials. Not far from where I live there is a move to move the Wallan war memorial in order to widen the road. There is also a double row of memorial trees which would also need to go. Community not happy. Then there is the revolting trend of stealing brass plaques from war memorials to melt down for cash - a whole $4 per kilo!

[Neville Briggs]

They ran into problems with a construction site around here when someone reckoned there were aboriginal artefacts in the ground. Is this different. ???