We will remember them

the dawn was still, hushed silence ascended as every kind of people stood side by side. young faces; pretty & fresh, old faces that wore years in beautiful lines. and the pipes sang out breaking the dawn. proud men slightly stooped now, in pressed suits medals & poppies they cried silent tears. younger men stood behind them, eyes not seen what older ones have nor heard the cries of suffering; brothers lost. as voices sang out, a song I did not know I gripped my husbands hand tightly as we hummed. the sun greeted the dawn a light cast on a sea of white; Bomana this sacred ground. the bugul called long & proud the last post & we are washed in gratitude.

*

"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 taken from the poem, "The Fallen" by Robert Laurence Binyon.

04/25/2017

Author's Note

I knew vaguely of Anzac Day growing up. It does not have a great presence in the US. Having lived in Papua New Guinea for 2 years now my husband and I attended our first ANZAC Day dawn service. It was a privilege.

Bomana - Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea.

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You have captured the atmosphere of a memorial service very well in this descriptive piece. Sombre and ageless.

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo John I appreciate your comment.

[james miles]

'the sun greeted the dawn a light cast on a sea of white; Bomana this sacred ground. the bugul called long & proud the last post & we are washed in gratitude.'... Wonderful!

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo James, I appreciate the visit. Izzy

[MsJewel]

I love the beautiful descriptions and the entire feel of your words. Wonderful writing :) Julie

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo Julie I appreciate your kind words.

[emmajoy]

Whilst your writing is beautifully descriptive of the event.. what strikes me most, is your respect for the occasion and the awe you're still feeling.

' .. .. the sun greeted the dawn a light cast on a sea of white; Bomana this sacred ground. the bugul called long & proud the last post & we are washed in gratitude. ' Those are exquisite words, izzy,

In the UK there are still services held to pay tribute to the Australian forces that fought and flew alongside British troops in both wars.

Thank you so much for sharing this poem, it tells, ir reminds.. it matters.

[Island Hippy]

Aloha my friend, I appreciate your words. This mornings service was incredibly moving, both my husband and I were really glad we made the effort to go. Mahalo my friend