ANZAC March Coonabarabran 2011 (Photo credit: vivevans)
I’m re-posting this – one of my earliest poems on this blog, at the suggestion of my friend Ann. This poem is about and for my Uncle Gavin who marched in the ANZAC Day marches while he was still alive. He died many years ago but I still remember his bravery and the toll that the war took on him, so on ANZAC day 2013 this is for him, and also for all the other brave soldiers who fought for us in this and other wars.
For my Uncle Gavin…..
I still recall your brittleness of voice
As you spoke of men and war in days gone by
I would that you had had another choice
I would no other burden on you foist
You fought with others brave, perchance to die
I still recall your brittleness of voice
The alcohol upon your lips so moist
Betrays the darker visions you decry
I would that you had had another choice
And then for one brief moment you have poised
As some fresh memory could make you cry
I still recall your brittleness of voice
See how your generation’s flags are hoist
Your sacrifice should make these banners fly
I would that you had had another choice
And now in victory may you rejoice
Forget this bitter history, let it lie?
I still recall your brittleness of voice
I would that you had had another choice
(c) Helen Valentina 2013, All Rights Reserved
helenvalentina 
I love this Helen – you should republish this on ANZAC day and tag it appropriately – it brings a tear to the eye.
Thanks, that’s a great idea! 🙂
Beautiful poem 🙂
Thank you, much appreciated!
Beautiful. I got an image from such an intimate photograph you give us here.
Thank you so much – this poem is very personal to me but it also hopefully reflects a more universal feeling in my country, and others, on this day. 🙂
Yes! As, “[We] would that [they all] had had another choice” yes?
Exactly!! 🙂
Beautiful words. This is my first ANZAC day in Australia; I simply am blown away by how little AU and NZ have forgotten. It’s inspiring.
Thank you – yes, it is a very important day for us…I think one of the only public holidays we take really seriously. 🙂
A lovely poem to celebrate you uncle and other war heros. I was unfamiliar with this holiday until this year. A good thing about blogging – there are many – is it does open the world in a way the history books don’t.
Thank you – and yes, you are right, blogging opens us so much to the whole world, it is wonderfully connecting. 🙂
An amazing tribute, Helen…thank you for sharing!!
Thank you for reading my dear friend!! As I’ve said in other replies, this is personal to me, but also seemed fitting as a broader tribute for ANZAC Day and the bravery of all who have fought for the freedom of others. 🙂