Lest We Forget and a Debt Unpaid

Lest We Forget

I remember reading history

Like stories in a book

Of men who went to war

Soldiers giving their young lives

To save us from the multi-hordes

Who sought to overcome us

And take our way of life

They were words on pages

Until my father spoke

Of sacrifices his brother made

To save us from the enemies harm

The lonely boy, his mother busy

Working hard for the war effort

Long hours his mother toiled

Positioning airplane rivets

In the planes design

The time and skill his sister gave

Nursing soldiers in the field

I saw the pain they suffered

Their faces lines revealed

The pride of their duties too

The trials they went through

My father's words brought all alive

As he told me of his brother’s death

His mother’s grief and then her joy

When his brother was resurrected

The pain he felt for others

Who would never come home

It gave me pause to think

And thank the soldiers

Who fought so hard

To save our country

From all the enemies’ harm

Thank you seems not enough

But it’s all I can say

As the sun goes down 

And the taps do play

Thank you soldiers

We remember your sacrifice

Everyday.

A Debt Unpaid

Your eyes bright, shiny and new

You heard the cry, the battle song

The proud, the brave, the few

The trip was quick, the journey long

As the battle raged on, and on

You endured much and became wan

You suffered weather, land, friend, and foe

Still you moved forward, a tough battle to hoe

Your decisions made by faceless men

No compromise did they send

You did your duty and sought to win the war

As all around you the casualties began to soar

Many soldiers paid, a considerable sum

That we might breathe the air of freedom

You laid down your young lives

So we could have no battle and strife

We honour you because you fought

For the peace we sought

Your country owes you greatly

We should honour you most stately

Your sacrifice we can never repay

So we honour you this and everyday

We remember, let the memory never fade
That we owe a debt, never ever repaid.

©Sheilagh Lee November 9, 2012