Submissions by Theme

One Sacred Day

By Margaret McCaffrey. Melbourne, VIC Thirty-four years after my father’s death, I drove one frosty morning in 2010 to Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. It’s a pyramid-shaped building keeping guard, sphinx-like, over the city. There, I joined the shivering, silent crowd huddled around the eternal flame for the pre-dawn service, as…

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The Shepherd

By Terence Dingwall. Doonside, NSW My flock bleats gently in the night, my village steeped in slothful slumber. The stars above gleam faint and bright, do I hear the far off peal of thunder? I hope this means a chance of rain, as I hear distant whip-like cracks. Does the…

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ANZAC

By Lesley-Anne Willott. Christie Downs, SA As blood red poppies dance in the wind, we promise to remember the boldOn that one fateful dawn back in 1915, where so many would never grow oldLife is so dear, but the worthy, must have courage to answer the callWith mettle and grit,…

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Scarabs

By Terence Dingwall. Doonside, NSW In every battle that was ever foughtOne side’s hopes have come to noughtThe fields are strewn with those who diedFor death has scattered them far and wide For a few more hours peace has comeWith the long slow sink of setting sunPeace has come to…

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a soldier’s prayer

By Steve Allen. Aldinga, SA Where I lay, my body stuckon this sodden ground,only my spirit can now move. My first battle was my last. I hardly drew a warrior’s breaththrough youthful lungs.The fierce roars of passionate mennow lay in utter silence.I hear them not. Wind picks up my soft…

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The Photograph

By Alice Richardson. Elizabeth, SA Rose sat at the kitchen table cradling the little frame holding the photograph of her with her husband, George. On the back, written in his handwriting was, ‘Rose and me. Married 17th October 1940’. It was taken in front of the hedge in their backyard…

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