Dear Annabel

• Nicole Thomson, Grade 8
• Poetry
• 2011

I am sorry to inform you, although it saddens me,
That Arnie’s life was taken, here at Gallipoli.
It brings me almost to tears to think about him now,
But Annabel, my friend, I think you should know how.
George was wounded on the field and Arnie saw him there,
He ran to save a mate and he said a little prayer.
He was so determined, determined to the core,
He dodged and dodged with all his might, until he dodged no more.
George awakened to see him there and carried him to cover.
George and I tried all night long tried to get him to recover.
But there was no awakening a man who was no more.
A man who was not fighting, not fighting anymore.
We carved a headstone for him with whatever rock we found.
We buried him where we could and with the headstone he was crowned.
Dear Annabel I’m sorry, that we could not do more.
We tried and tried to reach him, but we couldn’t reach him anymore.