by Dame Mary Gilmore I am he, who paved the way,that you might walkat your ease today;I was the conscriptsent to hellto make in the desertthe living well;I bore the heat,I blazed the track -furrowed and bloodyupon my back.I split the rock;I felled the tree:The nation was -Because of me!Old Botany BayTaking the sunfrom dayContinue reading “Old Botany Bay”
Tag Archives: hell
Amidst the Noisy Ball . . .
by Aleksander Pushkin 1799-1837 Amidst the noisy ball, in Hell Of everyday distress, I’ve seen you, but the secret’s veil Was covering your face. Your fair eyes were sad and bright, And voice was so sweet, As sound of a pipe apart Or murmur of the sea. I’ve liked your fine and slender waist, AndContinue reading “Amidst the Noisy Ball . . .”
Strange Meeting
by Wilfred Owen It seemed that out of battle I escaped Down some profound dull tunnel, long since scooped Through granites which titanic wars had groined. Yet also there encumbered sleepers groaned, Too fast in thought or death to be bestirred. Then, as I probed them, one sprang up, and stared With piteous recognition inContinue reading “Strange Meeting”
Suicide In The Trenches
by Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) I knew a simple soldier boy Who grinned at life in empty joy, Slept soundly through the lonely dark, And whistled early with the lark. In winter trenches, cowed and glum, With crumps and lice and lack of rum, He put a bullet through his brain. No one spoke of himContinue reading “Suicide In The Trenches”
Robin's Nest 