Anzac Day Dawn Parade NZ

[Rod Walford]

Anzac Day Dawn Parade

Browns Bay Auckland

by Rod Walford

The breaking dawn was shrouded
In distant silver light;
The cenotaph was crowded
And the air was soft and slight.
As all of us assembled round
Looked out across the Bay
We heard the pipes and drums resound
Outside the RSA.


I thought of dear old Grandad
As I stood on Anzac morn...
Of all the comrades he’d once had,
And medals that he’d worn.
I thought of what it cost him
When he walked out through the door;
Of how we could have lost him
On the day he went to war.


I thought about my Grandad
Now I watched a hundred more;
The sprightly limbs that once they had
Now ag-ed, stiff and sore;
Yet every Anzac Day they honour
Flag and regiment
And bring to mind the names upon a
Distant monument.


I heard the Last Post sounded;
“Abide with me” was sung.
A hallowed peace surrounded
As every head was hung
And far beyond our native walls
Across the ocean waves
The shadow of remembrance falls
Upon the silent graves.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Off to a good start Rod - nicely done.

[Bob Pacey]

Now that's what we like to see. Well said Rod paints a vivid picture.


The two verses in a row referring to your grandad were a bit hard to me thought sort of stood out.

perhaps the first could say

I remembered dear old grandad

instead just to break it up .

Cheers Mate well done.

Hey I goggled up your area very nice location Browns Bay by the looks of it my older sister lives in Nelson.

Is that your house on the hill with the biiiiig pool


Bob

[Glenny Palmer]

That's really lovely Rod...and well structured tooo. Welcome aboard. (I have a step-daughter & step Grandson in Dunedin. I got to see the North Island but not the South...more's the pity. A gorrrgeous country.)

I hear what Bobbo is saying about the two 'Grandad' lines, & what sprung into my mind was: at the second reference perhaps...'And as I thought of Grandad...'....? Just a thought.

Cheeers
Glenny Palmer

[Rod Walford]

Thanks Bob and Glenny yes I hear what you are saying about the "thought" part - that's an oversight on my part ( must be gettin' old!) as I am usually very particular about that sort of thing. Thanks for pointing it out - I will modify the original version. Thanks to you both and I hope you have a nice Easter. Cheers for now. Rod.

[Glenny Palmer]

...and a very Happy Easter to you too Rod.
Cheeers
Glenny