»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #41
»
The Anzac
| Open Poetry #41 |
|
The Anzac |
|
|
LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria 
|
The Anzac I went to see a lovely old lady that lives at the end of the street, I wanted to hear her life’s story but I knew I’d have to be very discreet, For she’d recently lost her life’s partner, a man quite courageous and bold, When I asked her to tell me her story, I heard this fable unfold. Although she was well in her nineties, her memory was sharp as a tack And as she reached back to another era, fond memories came floating back, She went back to the days of her childhood, the wonderful times of her teens, The dances, the concerts, the parties and meeting the man of her dreams. She met Jim one night at a party when he came up and asked her to dance, He was dressed in the uniform of a soldier, she immediately thought of romance. He was tall and very good looking and said will you have this waltz with me, She smiled as she rose to meet him and answered shyly ‘most certainly.’ He danced with the step of an angel as she was eagerly swept off of her feet, At the end of some dances later, he said tomorrow I sail with the fleet, Can I take you home this evening for it’s a night I will never forget, Tomorrow we face a long journey, the destination unknown to us yet. He kissed me so sweetly that evening and at last he bade me farewell, My heart was all of a flutter for I’d fell completely under his spell, My darling will you write me a letter while I’m away at the war, It will be something to bolster my spirits, something that’s worth fighting for. I know that I’ve only just met you and I don’t want you to think I am bold But if you’ll agree to write me a letter, to me it will be dearer than gold, I knew by the way my heart fluttered that with this man I could live evermore And I promised to answer his letters, a promise I could not ignore. It was nearly six months later that a note came to me in the mail, I thought he’d completely forgotten but that was now only a minor detail, They’d spent much of that time on the water till they arrived at Gallipoli And went straight into the raging battle that turned into a catastrophe. The note finished by saying I love you and if I have the luck to survive I want you to be my sweetheart, my dear for the rest of my life, My tears of joy ran unhindered as I held that letter close to my heart And made a silent vow to my soldier that nothing would keep us apart. He was finally shot in that battle and came close to that demon of death It was the thought that I’d be waiting that gave him strength for another breath, Now when that terrible battle was over and those living, with fame were endowed They became known to us all as the Anzac’s -- the Aussies and Kiwi’s were proud. In time we met at the Alter with me proudly becoming his wife, And for over sixty years we were happy in a life that was minus of strife, We raised a wonderful family, now could anyone ask for more, For Jim was one of the lucky Anzac’s who came home from that terrible war. |
||
| © Copyright 2008 Lindsay P Wilson - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
a most wonderful tale Lindsay... hats off to our wonderful Anzacs... well done.. love RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
||
|
Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
This is a very beautiful story and reminds me of a song I heard about this battle called "No More Waltzing Matida With Me. Have you heard it? Ida |
||
|
Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Lindsay, this has brought tears to my eyes! There aren't many life stores like that around. Well told! |
||
|
Clang Member
since 2005-12-15
Posts 222 |
This just shines. Great story. |
||
|
LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Roniece, Ida, Honey Bunch and Clang Thank you kind folks for your response, It's appreciation like that that keeps us going. Hugs to you all. Lindsay |
||
|
Kamelian Junior Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 21Australia |
That's just marvellous - a real biographical type poem. It is a talent you have, to be able to tell such a story. I hope you give the lady a copy!!  |
||
|
Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
My dear Aussie Man, as I am sure I have told you before, you are a raconteur extraordinaire! You had my rapt attention from beginning to the triumphant and emotional closing stanza. A tale well told! Gosh yer good! ~ No, yer greeaaat!  I could never tire or your tales! Love to you and a great big hug, Linda |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Lindsay, this is a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing this day with us. |
||
|
TomMark Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133LA,CA |
Beautiful truly. and the story is moving. thank you. Tom |
||
|
aziza Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy! |
Lindsay, You took my breath with this wonderful poem. Your friend took my heart with her wonderful story. I am keeping this forever. Thank you - Alison |
||
|
LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Kamelian, Linda, Sunshine, TomMark and Aziza What caaan I say to do justice to your response, but one thing I do know is that having PIP friends like you kind folks really makes my day. Thank you, thank you. Lindsay |
||
|
Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Very Moving Indeed! ARCTIC WIND |
||
|
Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
A very interesting tale! |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
