The land the soldiers now call home

It has been lovely hearing from teachers and parents about how students are exploring military history during lockdown. We received this poem from Newcastle East Public School, written by Year 6 student, Hannah. Students were asked to look at a painting or image and write a short poem about what that image evoked for them. Hannah used multiple images and her great-great-grandfather’s medals (pictured above). She hopes her poem will allow readers to form their own interpretations.

The land the soldiers now call home

 

Left wondering to wander,

Left pondering the wonder,

Left relieved for the future,

Left grieving the past.

 

Left frightened and in a torturous state of mind,

But those who struggle are left behind.

Bloody and bruised and banged up shrill,

Our fallen angels lay so still.

 

Have we not learned anything from our mistakes!

Why can’t we rejoice and love and embrace?

The fact that we should be one not torn,

… apart by blood and unbearable mourn.

 

But no.

I stand here now and look,

Outside my window, down to a brook,

Towards a land of dirt and bone,

A land the soldiers now call home.

- Hannah, Year 6, Newcastle East Public School

 

You can view more work from students around Australia on our classroom showcase page here: https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/schools/showcase

Although currently unable to visit the Memorial onsite, students can access thousands of photographs, art works, objects, and articles online. Please visit our Learn from Home hub here: https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/learning-from-home