Ele Ludemann: Those who returned

On ANZAC Day we remember everyone who served with particular notice of those who didn’t return.

Some who did return carried wounds – physical and mental.

Some felt guilt that they survived when so many of those they fought alongside didn’t. This poem was written for one of those:

Today I saw a flower – It reminded me of you

You stood there in the sunshine

With your petals in full bloom

But you were stood alone

There were no flowers of your kind

Standing there beside you

For they had been left behind

In fields that you used to share

With them some time ago

When they became your family

Whilst you helped each other grow

But there were stormy days ahead

With skies all dark and grey

Fields that were torched by lightning,

Flooded by the rain And though they tried to fight it

There were flowers by your side

That had to lay themselves down So that others could survive

And I know you feel guilty

That you’re growing on without them

But they need you to keep going So that you can talk about them

To keep their hearts alive

To share their stories and their names

You know if you were in their place

That you would want the same

You’d want them to chase sunshine

And to camp beneath the stars

To honour you by living

Whilst they kept you in their hearts

So try to stem your sadness

And those guilty tears you shed ‘

Cause they live on within you

In your petals bright and red

Yes, today I saw a poppy

It reminded me of you

And every time I see it

I’ll be reminded of them too

***** A poem I wrote a few years ago now as a request from a former soldier, who was struggling with the guilt of coming home when so many didn’t. Becky Hemsley 2021

Ele Ludemann is a North Otago farmer and journalist, who blogs HERE - where this article was sourced.