Lest We Forget
Mobilised from Puckapunyal one sunny, hopeful afternoon
The walking dead and maimed do not crush our dreams.
In sharp lines of saluting slouch hats of our strong young men
Just march away clean chinned and disciplined, the Pride of the Nation.
No thoughts here of smokes hanging from unshaven, fearful faces
Or eviscerated bodies laying forgotten, filthy in muddy fields or on beaches.
These fine muscular sons, brothers & fathers merely become rows of startling white crosses
& proud d men wearing medals in wheelchairs, too aged to walk.
Survivor guilt’s suppressed but the mate who died still haunts.
Payment made and cleaned up for our penal colony past unforgiven,
For our alleged criminal history. For our debt. By their slavery to foreign orders we are freed.
In that generation we are crucified & made whole.
So today, as every year, as generations pass we show
Their medals as white roses dripping
With the pure blood paid by many an arm and a leg.
Lest we forget
Never again.
Never mind
We’re doing it
Again
