The Young Men of Gallipoli

My tribute for the young men who went to war to fight for peace -------------------

 

THE YOUNG MEN OF GALLIPOLI

 

So many young men still in their prime

Sailed far across the sea

Young men eager to face the world

And keep their homeland free.

 

Soldiers, now on foreign soil

Many lives they gave

Soldiers all, though some of them

Were far too young to shave.

 

Facing the hidden enemy

Longing to be at home

Although their mates surround them

Each one feels so alone.

 

Digging deep inside mud trenches

Scared, right down to their boots

And when the order "CHARGE" is given

Some wished their feet had roots.

 

But then those young soldiers charge

Despite the fearful fact

That most of them may not survive

To cross that deadly tract.

 

Before that battle ended

Too many young men died,

And in the joyous welcome home

So many soldiers cried.

 

Time, the mortal enemy

Our Soldiers, now grown old

And the story of this bitter war

Is a story seldom told.

 

Every year on Anzac Day

They come, with eyes now dim

To march in memory of their mates

Although their ranks are thin.

 

Yes, these old soldiers march

Their heads held high with pride.

Badges blazing on their chests,

Ghostly comrades by their side.

 

Another Anzac Day is here

And again it is plain to see

We always will remember them

The young men of Gallipoli.

 

Author's Note

any and all comments and thoughts welcome- Thanks

Reviews

[A.J. Smith]

Beautiful tribute, Jen. I had the good fortune to serve, on occasion, with members of the Australian military (mostly RAAF) during my career. I studied this campaign at our Joint Force Staff College. It's nice to see a piece like this, written about a campaign that means so much to older, rapidly-thinning generations of Australians and New Zealanders. You taught me the significance of 25 April in your country. Thank you for sharing.

[G D Howard]

Very nice. Sad and tragic, but war is both those things. I might cut down the number of lines, if anything.