Cheops

Image source: Australian War Memorial: Dedicated to the men of the 11th Battalion A.I.F., the Western Australian Battalion

They lined the steps of the giant place

All loose and set about as they

Had all but happened upon a moment

By some accident on the way

Look sharp boys, eyes front, heads high.

Let us set this history’s piece

And take wing upon the burning wind

As winter foul and geese.

Shall they know that we are stood here?

Shall they speak and say our names?

Will the sun rise on our mornings?

Will they warm the eternal flame?

Our mothers in their garden’s heart

Will mourn the flowers all lost

The fathers will rack their brains and say

No worth in all this cost.

Grant Fenton 30 December 2015