ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

WHERE THE POPPIES WAVE
© John Peel 24/11/2010

He came from a land where the wattles grow
to fight in a war with a foreign foe,
to fight for what is just and right
and never for the sake of a fight.

He was only young and the winds of chance
had taken him to the fields of France
away from Queensland’s sunny skies
to the sounds of guns and the dying’s cries.

In his mind this young man longed to be
back home on a farm across the sea
not stuck there in that field of death
where the stench of corpses stalled his breath.

He was caught up in the foe’s attack
his mind could only take him back
to be with loved ones by his side –
a bullet struck and that young man died.

He lies in a field where the poppies wave
when the breezes blow above his grave –
to men like him, we owe a debt,
lest we forget! Lest we forget!

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John Peel - The Man from Gilmore Creek

Nice one John!!
Trish

I'm with Trish. Nice one John. Love the opening line.

Heather

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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away!

Thank you Trish and Heather

This is my first go at an Anzac inspired poem. Living through a period of relative peace, I can only imagine what the people of the time must have gone through.

Regards


John Peel

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John Peel - The Man from Gilmore Creek

We have been very lucky Peely ,
A very good tribute poem mate well done , hope we see some more

Marty

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Campfires, good company and a few beverages under a night sky , it doesnt get any better than that

Thanks Marty

We are very fortunate indeed.

Regards


John Peel

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John Peel - The Man from Gilmore Creek

Touching poem John.

But mates it’s still going on, at least they are bringing our boys home from Afghanistan

Dave.

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I Keep Trying

Thanks Dave

The big difference is that most Australians in those times were touched in some way by war. In these times, relatively few are affected as directly as they were then.

Regards


John Peel

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John Peel - The Man from Gilmore Creek

And, in this 'war', the poppies hold a very different significance unfortunately.

Nice one John.

Cheers, Will.

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"Each poet that I know (he said)
has something funny in his head..." CJD

Very true Will

Thank you.

Regards


John Peel

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John Peel - The Man from Gilmore Creek