Tag: War poetry

Perpetua

Photo of the gravestones of war veterans in a cemetery.
War veterans’ cemetery

His duty was done;
into the valley of death,
rides next consignment.

Decay

Photo of an artwork by Shamsia Hassani. Art shows an Afghan woman holding a bunch of dandelions behind her back while a war tank rolls on in front of her.
Art by Shamsia Hassani, an Afghan graffiti artist. Artwork commission for OzAsia festival in Adelaide, 2022

Shelling left and right,
corroded metallic smoke—
my flowers wither.

—

See more of Hassan’s work on her Instagram profile.

Reflections

photo of a can of pale ale from the time of the First World War, with the words, "God 'elp all of us" inscribed in it

Gulping down a beer,
mundane summer afternoon—
god help our soldiers.

Survivor

Close up photo of a tree stump from below.

Flagpole stands its ground
even after the battle dies
stump survives winter