I Am An ANZAC

• Taynisha Dance, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2014

In Flanders field, poppies glow red.
In Flanders field soldiers lay dead.
War was declared, the fight’s begun.
Soldiers all around me, die one by one.
The guns start roaring, grenades arrive.
I’ve left myself wondering, will I survive?
I swerve a few bullets and watch my mates die,
I have the world in my hands, move on, and don’t cry.
I push through the blood stained grass on the ground.
Boom boom! Boom boom! I hear my heart pound.
I mustn’t give up my mates are counting on me.
More soldiers drop dead, one, two, and three.
Will this war ever end? It’s gotten so rough.
I think of my family, I’ve got to stay tough!
I sprint through the field as fast as I can,
Dodging my mates, Bob, Bill and Ben.
Not long after I feel a sharp pain down my side,
I believe this is it; I’m going to die with pride.
Just as I blacked out, a bright light shines through my eyes,
How could this be, I already said my goodbyes.
A bandaged up waist and medicals by my canvas bed,
Alcohol stinging, open wounds, sleepy head.
I fall asleep and dream of my family.
I must stay alive, they can’t do it without me.
I wake up in a room full of other men dying,
Some are spewing, some are injured and some are just crying.
Medicals come and sew up my hole,
The stiches, they hurt, but they have the best role!
I rest up a lot, send off a letter.
It’s taking some time, but I’m getting better.
A Sergeant comes in and announced the war has ended.
Finally, I’ve survived this, my fears are mended.
I’m better now; I’m on the boat back.
This is my adventure, I am an ANZAC.