Remember the Australian Soldier

Remember the Australian Soldier

I am an Australian soldier; I stand tall and proud and true
I train and fight for freedom; I honour my country and I protect you
Tradition back to Sudan and Boer where I’ve always served you well
As National Servicemen, volunteers and conscripts we’ve often been through hell
Right back to our fateful landing upon the ANZAC shore
The mateship that we honour is for company, regiment and corps

To the Aussie soldier courage, teamwork and initiative are barely but a start
For professionalism, loyalty and innovation are clearly in our heart
Since World War I where Australia mourned the loss of so many fine young men
And the role of women forever changed as we stood in support of them
From World War II and wars beyond, from Vietnam to peace keeping today
Australian soldiers are deployed around the globe from their families far away

And I know each soldier joins the ranks because they feel it too
It’s the spirit of the Aussie digger; it’s what we call true blue
But contact front can take a life; a new name to cast upon the wall
In bronze to forever commemorate another loss too great to call
In Afghanistan we lost Russell, Pearce, Locke and Wood, McCarthy, Lambert, Marks
And forty-one names for me to recite; please keep them in your hearts

For green on blue is not the way a soldier is meant to die
As any loss of life through war is hard to justify
And those returning still live the hell, the smell, sights sounds and fear
That follow them in thoughts and dreams- some take it to despair
Sadly the number of soldiers affected by PTSD who are taking their own lives
Are far outweighed by the names cast in bronze, those men we highly prize

This growing toll also sacrifices so that we may live in peace today
Please stand tall and proud to honour that gift; God bless their souls I pray
And give strength to those who loved them best as we remember them always
We will honour their ANZAC spirit to the very end of days
But in life’s passing their mateship is here with you; I believe it’s standing by your side
All I ask is that you remember the Australian soldier with love and hope and pride

In appreciation to those who serve

Note:          If your loved one’s name appears in my poem, I have done so with the greatest of respect.

RIP fine soldier.

 

I would be honoured if you read my poem at any ANZAC Day service, Remembrance Day or other service as appropriate. Click to download a PDF copy.

 

A few years ago I wrote to Mark Knight requesting permission to reproduce his cartoon with my poem, and he posted back to me that it was fine to do so. His incredible cartoon represented exactly what I was trying to convey in my poem. Mark, if ever decide you no longer want your cartoon here, please let me know and I will remove it. 

Lisa Ride

Photo by Graham Tidy

1992/Fairfax Syndication

I love poetry! I have been around poetry all my life. My father Edwin Ride was The Sentimental Bloke in the early 1960’s play written by Albert Arlen. My mother Josie Lester had me reciting Banjo Paterson by the time I was five years old. I very much enjoy writing poetry but to me the fun is in performance poetry. I describe my style as Pam Ayres meets AB Paterson.

I gave my first local public recital at the Beechworth WRAP (Writers, Readers and Poetry) in 2014 where I watched in awe as other poets entertained the crowd. My next big event was the Australian National Bush Poetry competition at Corryong in 2015, where I won 'Best New Novice Writer'; I was a Victorian finalist in the Australian Poetry Slam 2015 and I'm a NSW state finalist for the 2016 Australian Poetry Slam in Sydney. With the launch of my book A Little Spot of Poetry, it's been an exciting journey. I hope you enjoy it too.

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