Although Anzac day has passed, I thought in the spirit of the Veteran's Day articles, I would like to honour Australian soldiers. This particular poem was inspired by the battle of the Kokoda Trail and the heroic efforts of the tribesman in New Guinea who helped the 21st Brigade in their time of dire need. Their role in saving New Guinea and Australia is largely unknown throughout the rest of the world, but Australia will never forget the bravery of the young soldiers and the men that came to be known with affection and awe as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.
Black Angels
Under the flag of the rising sun
They came across the Island Mountains
Searching for clear passage to
The land of the Southern Cross
The Twenty-first Brigade engaged them
Young men desperate, yet full of valour
Whose blood still stains the Kokoda Trail
Living monument to their sacrifice
Outnumbered and outgunned
They prayed as they fought on
For a miracle to save them
For God to help bring them back home
From the shadows of the towering trees
The Black Angels stepped forward
Filled with the courage of heavenly worth
And stood against the oncoming force
With bows and arrows, stones and spears
They met machine guns and the samurai
God's Black Angel's feared not death
No dishonour in their eyes
The young men wept for God had answered
And the Black Angel's slipped back beneath the trees
No glory had they sought, no crosses or gold
But their legend shall go down in history
© Alison Pearce 2008
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Comments: 23
thank you!!!!
acknowledging the honourable Braves !!!
Your thoughtfulness to write of this is "priceless". A most touching and very informative read; one of many groups, I'm sure, throughout the world who gave their lives in tiime of need. Valiancy personnified.
This was almost mystical, certainly mythical...beautiful. A magic answer to a forlorn prayer. How beautiful did you portray both the valiant warriors so outnumbered; but also the magic of their rescue. It was ten-fold more amazing, that they melted back into the trees. This is true heroism, in my view. Rare and worthy.
I just visualized this as a scene in a movie. This doesn't happen often to me while reading poetry. Beautiful, awesome writing.
If I could give you a 20, I would.
Wilka
They were in fact a miracle and an answer to the prayers of the young men who fought on the Kokoda Trail and deserve more recognition for what they accomplished outside of Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea.
This is even more important to me know, as only one of the Angels, who were tracked down after the way, is still alive. I believe the memory of their brave actions - and remember that they were not soldiers - must be preserved and this is the only way I know how!!
I thought I should let you know that your poem has been copy/pasted onto someone's Myspace, and he is crediting the work to himself. It's laughable, because your poem is well-written, grammatically correct and moving, while the poetry he has obviously written is atrocious.
I doubt you can see his profile, but I'll link you to it anyway. I thought you should be made aware of the situation. His profile is: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=406437550
Thank you, sorry to bear bad news.