There he stands
clad out in his uniform
cap on his head, pack on his back
rifle by his side.
He stands there tall and proud
ready to go where duty calls
ready even to fall into the hands of death.
At home his family sit and wait
wondering if they'll ever see him again
hoping, praying that one day soon
he'll return to them and not have
to answer to the call of duty again.
Gunshots fill the air
Men fall and hide
The clatter of rifle shots
carry on and on
Prayers go up for safety
Men think of families left behind
Some lying dying.
Then suddenly all is quiet
Heads cautiously pop up
then men gather together
losses are counted
the injured carried out.
There's a knock on the door
A lady goes to answer
The officer removes his cap
"Ma'am your . . . . I'm sorry"
A baby's cries fill the air
a door slams
and somewhere a dog barks
Life goes on
But this time he didn't make it.
The last call sounds
followed by a twent one gun salute
The coffin is slowly lowered into the grave
Prayers go up
Good byes are said
He was only twenty six
War nothing but a heart breaker
War nothing but a soul taker
War!
Y L CILLIERS
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His loud, harsh bellow was forged
Before his recruits were born.
He hears the voices of those
Who fought beside him in battles
Which mark the Regiment's pride.
Who lie buried in far, scattered places,
Who have left their names inscribed on the Regiment's Roll.
The Regiment has been
Is
Will always be
His life
And his reason for life.
Chas Lotter
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We came
From the hills at dawn
Marking our trail
In fiery progress. Grim shapes
Moving from kraal to kraal
With chaos in our hands.
Fires
Pinpointed habitation across the valley floor.
Not a hut was spared.
An explosion belched
As a landmine
Deep-hidden, in a granary, met the flame.
A radio
Crackled urgently; a booby trap had been found.
People scurried
To rescue possessions.
Livestock scattered, fleeing, with no place to go.
I stood on a rise.
Watching the smoke billow, blot out the sun.
Hell must be like this. Panic, fear
Fire and smoke. Devils
Egging you on.
But I feel no pity.
This war
Has gone on long enough.
Chas Lotter
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In the cold grey light of dawn
A soldier dies for the world to mourn
What is this thing called war
What is all the fighting for
Has it been for fun or hate or more.
What is it, on which these men feed
Is it a wrong or could it be greed
Every man must fight for what he loves
A land of peace and cooing turtle doves
These are everyone's dreams
For this land must take part in greater schemes
Except for men who will kill for lust
To rape and turn this country to dust.
How much longer can innocent people weep
Whilst the world remains fast asleep
They must right the wrongs they have done
So we can live in peace under the sun
By Gareth Mees
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