April 25, 2015
On 25th April, the day of the landings at Gallipoli, I want to remember the young volunteers from Australia and New Zealand who put their lives on the line to fight the brave fight a hundred years ago. My father, Bogdan Stojić, was a volunteer, too. He served as a medical orderly in the Serbian Army at the time.
The poem in this post is dedicated to the heroes of both World Wars as well as those in present wars, as, unfortunately, humans have not yet found a way to resolve conflicts without the use of arms. The poem was written for Susan Budig’s Mindful Poetry Contest 2012. It was first published by narratorAUSTRALIA (now narratorINTERNATIONAL) online and in print in narratorAUSTRALIA, Volume Two. It also appears in my book Dreams On My Pillow.
The Anzac March
Decuain
My Muse, oh please help me write a poem
In thoughts I see the bloody battlefields
Anzac Marchers proud and very solemn
The battling soldier heartfelt prayer shields
He fights against the wicked, never yields
Returns per chance a hero, shell-shocked, maimed
Or killed, the stuff that always wartime wields
Blood and tears are shed, victor is proclaimed
See the medals, hear the bagpipe’s rhythm
Cheers to all who fought for sacred freedom
~
The decuain is a ten-line rhyming form in iambic pentameter created by Shelley A. Cephas.The rhyming pattern in this decuain is: ababbcbcaa.
My father always marched with Frank Hebbard, his POW camp mate in WWII, under the 2/6 Australian General Hospital banner. He is the marcher smiling at us, wearing a blue jacket with his medals for bravery.
My father, Dr Bogdan Stojić, who was Lieutanant-Colonel in reserve in the Yugoslav Army, with Mum and me after completing the Anzac March in Sydney in 1988, aged 95.
~
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
(From the “Ode of Remembrance”)
~
LEST WE FORGET
~
© Copyright 2015 Irina Dimitric
Irina's Poetry Corner 
Very nice. Great poem.
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Thank you very much, Rellick. I do appreciate your commenting.
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A very beautiful tribute.
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Thank you very much, Linda.
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Deeply touched by your great tribute to ANZAC Day and your dedication to heroes!
Superb presentation and a poignant poem,loved the photos included and especially your family one.You so powerfully ended it … LEST WE FORGET …
Much Kudos Irene!Your post is of great historical value!Sending you rich Friendship 🙂
PS:There were plenty of documentaries on our National TV channels in order to cover Anzac Day and the battle in Kalipolis.Thrilling to see what our ancestors went through and sad for the innocent souls,who sacrificed their flives for the freedom of the future generations.
Take care . Doda ❤ xxx
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Dear Doda, I have enormous respect for the many volunteers, and regular soldiers as well, who have put their lives on the line for our freedom. No, we must never forget their sacrifices. I’m so happy you like this post. Thank you for your generous comment. Have a lovely day! Hugs ❤ Irina xxx
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Me too Irina Dear!We should always honour and respect those brave heroes!Happy Wednesday my lovely friend!Hugs of Love to you 🙂 ❤ xxx
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Happy Thursday to you, dear Doda. Love and hugs ❤ 🙂 xxx
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Beautiful poetic tribute to the young volunteers, your dad among them … And to all those heroes of both World Wars…. The lines of the “Ode of Remembrance” are really touching and powerful as well! … Love, dear Irina. Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana ⭐
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Thank you so much for your kind words about my tribute to the heroes who fought for our freedom. Have a lovely day, dear Aquileana. Hugs and cheers 🙂 Irina
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Reblogged this on Irina's Poetry Corner and commented:
I’m reblogging this post to celebrate ANZAC DAY 2016 ~ LEST WE FORGET
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A lovely poem, Irina, and a wonderful tribute to both ANZAC Day and the heroes of all wars.
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Thank you so much, Millie.
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