We Will Remember Them

Trudge trudge, they’re off to war

Their boots marching along the floor

Their hearts pounding in their chests

Their mothers frightened, bated breaths

Scuffle shuffle, in they load

The armoured truck on the road

The mighty ship packed up so full

The aircraft lifting, flying too

Nudge shove, they find their friends

Their comrades now they will defend

Through thick and thin together they’ll be

They’ll fight for freedom, all agree

Whistle whiz, planes blades and guns

Training now is real not fun

Jovial mood no longer present

Many toughen, few transparent

Rip scrap, letters from home

A mother’s concern or a lover’s woe

A political judgement or government command

They’ll never know, nor understand

Bang bang! Bombs are falling

Shrapnel is flying and all are running

Shots are fired as men are screaming

The pain excruciating, tears streaming

Crunch crush, bones crack and break

Souls leaving bodies never to wake

Some feel guilt while others cast blame

Now all is shifted, everything changed

Chirp chirp, daybreak with chick’s new call

How can life begin again when others take the fall?

It doesn’t seem at all fair or right

That a mate’s life is gone, over, like night

Plod slog, it all feels too hard

Everyone tired of being on guard

Life must go on, but at what cost?

All men feel defeat, feel lost

Huff huff, deep breaths and heavy sighs

It adds to the numb now when another mate dies

This fighting for country is surely important

Yet it’s fear-inducing, it’s abhorrent

Hip hooray, we’ve won the war

Though have we really won at all?

It feels wrong to celebrate when we’ve all lost

Yet we must for the living, for those with us

Heave gulp, returning is a challenge

Nothing is normal and all at an imbalance

Flashbacks and nightmares never end

Some are loved, others condemned

Creak groan, time marches on

Some are still here while others are gone

To them our very lives we owe

Yet most keep quiet, no fuss, no show

Pound pound, heart beating fast

Donning suits and uniforms past

Medals pinned and poppy on collar

Marching with humility and pride, to honour

Hush hush, quiet please

While people lay wreaths on bended knee

Remember that real men and women fought for you and me

For freedom isn’t easy, isn’t free

Calm still, the breeze gently coasts

The bugle rings sharp as it plays 'The Last Post'

And at the going down of the sun, lest we forget

For we will, we will remember them