ANZAC Parade

[vwalla]

The Anzac Parade ©

A riderless horse –
Midst the cheering and the waving flags, it passes -
The haunting, eerie symbol of a generation lost.
Those thousands of past heroes - gone. They’ll never march again.
They paid the deathly, final, vital cost.

No matter if they died abroad or later here back home.
For them and for their loved ones - outcomes so severe.
A dire, ongoing torture, with grim memories of war
to haunt them with a melancholy fear.

Perhaps on deep reflection, those who perished on those shores
were maybe, in a most peculiar sense
more fortunate to end life there, escaping future pain,
reliving all wars’ horrors. Surely not a recompense.

They witnessed pain and tragedy on Turkey’s foreign soil.
They suffered at Gallipoli - but resolute and true.
They watched their fellow ANZACS as they fell before their eyes
and realized there was nothing they could do.

Now, witnessing the fervor of the young ones on parade
It’s evident that memoirs will endure.
The true, respectful gratitude, the pride and honour too
it seems will last forever, that’s for sure.

And so, today, the poignant sound of hoof beats passing by
Confirms undying reverence for our soldiers brave and bold.
They sacrificed their very lives to keep this Country safe.
“The Ode” a strong reminder that they never will grow old.

“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”
An Excerpt From a poem - For the Fallen
by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), published in The Times newspaper on 21st September 1914.

This scene always moves me so much
Val W

[Terry]

G/day Val

A poignant reminder of a generation of our finest lost in that terrible war.

Terry

[Vic Jefferies]

Well done Val. A great poem.

[Catherine Lee]

Undying reverence - yes indeed....Oh my goodness, what we owe them! A wonderful tribute Val

[Heather]

I saw on the news tonight that a someone had put a chair by the march for a relative now not able to march. I can see that catching on and the road being lined with chairs.

This ANZAC Day sure has brought out some good poems. It really is a sacred day to Australians.

Heather

[mummsie]

Beautiful Val-thank you

Sue

[alongtimegone]

Well written Val so true and so sad but on a brighter note it's wonderful to see how the celebration of the heroes of ANZAC grows stronger each year.
Wazza