ANZAC DAY ~ LEST WE FORGET 🪔

ANZAC

I sit here staring at the ocean as it rolls upon the beach.

The waves they rumble slightly as onto the sand they reach.

My mind it drifts as here I sit to the shores of Suvla bay.

Where Australia’s finest young men lay slaughtered in the spray.

To those beaches of Gallipoli where through sweat and tears and blood.

They charged the Turks defences in an unrelenting flood.

Young men from every state and territory prepared to give their lives, their all.

To defend the right of freedom, they responded to their nation’s call.

T’was there the legend first was born as they wallowed in the mire.

Mateships forged that would endure, outstanding courage under fire.

The landing there at ANZAC cove saw young bodies ripped and torn.

But out of that horrible carnage, the ANZAC legend then was born.

Twenty thousand of Australia’s sons charged through blood and fire and water.

But Johnny Turk was primed and ready as they gave and asked no quarter.

Their feats will never be forgotten as we honour them each year.

Thank them for their sacrifice as we quietly shed a tear.

Some would discard it; they say it glorifies all war.

But they gave their lives for freedom, their sacrifice we can’t ignore.

So to those who would not honour them and have us cast their feats aside

You will not break our ANZAC spirit. It is a badge we will always wear with pride.

‘Lest We Forget”

Bob Pacey ©