The wake trails behind
A fleeting mark on the ocean surface,
Myriad millions of sea creatures mark it's passing
Before life settles back - the waves roll on

A crew at ease on deck
Under the cover of the stars,
Ross' southern cross
As music plays to pass the time

Suddenly, A splash off to one side
An explosion of phosphorus light
A dolphin shape, propelled along
Scattering microbes with its tail

Like tracer through the night sky
A path to see it passing by -
A leap and return to the sea,
Disney cartoon effect for real.

A moment of connection
Of man and creature
One in its element, one passing through;
Both on a journey east to the rising sun

In their millions they came -
From the the newest and the oldest lands
To fight, to make good on the claim
That they would stand when the empire called.

Those who have been left behind
many thousands never found again.
And those who returned home to find
A life forever changed, gaps in the familiar.

those who stayed, lie in europe's red earth,
It's warm, eternal embrace
Their final berth
That holds them safe for the rest of time.

Their passing marked by a simple stone.
A name, a date and a symbol of belonging.
Maybe a word from a beloved has shown,
A man once here but now no more.

The sun tans their faces in the morning
And warms their backs at dusk.
Those men who listened to their country's calling,
Forever Buried under the birdsong chorus.

High on the Ridge;
Visible from miles around.
73 thousand names,
Of those with bodies never found.

Portland stone
And red iron brick.
The names of the dead
Lie heavy and thick.

Men who lived but silent now;
Preserved forever for all to see.
Now memories from a time before,
Those who Died to keep Europe free

With birdsong of lark;
And kestrel in hovered flight.
Rest in peace,
The long never ending night.