I stand alone in the twilight
With a letter in my hand;
A letter and a sprig of wattle
from Australia, in my hand.
Only a sprig of wattle
But how it thrills me through.
With pain and pleasure mingled
as my thoughts fly back to you.
To you, and the days of my childhood
When together we rambled the plain
Gathered wattle by the armful –
Oh for those days again.
For an hour in the yellow branches
To watch the showers of gold
As the blossoms glisten in the sunshine
And the beauties of God unfold.
Here I stand in a foreign country
But my spirit’s with you at home
For your little sprig of wattle
has linked us over the foam.
For ANZAC Day - 25 April 2014
The Thoughts of an Aussie Soldier -
Eric's Poem written by
Eric Stanley Eggins (aged 21) in the A.I.F. 42nd Battalion in France 1917, WW1.
This poem was sent to us by Eric’s granddaughter, Barbara Armstrong
(24 April 2014). Barbara writes:
I thank him and all other Australians who have and still are, serving this great country of Australia. My grandfather and stepfather were some of the 'lucky ones' who returned home from many theatres of war, though 'lucky' may not be the right word for what happens in war 1,000s of miles away that doesn't stay there when they leave. We are the 'lucky' ones. Thank you Grandad Eggins and Phil Prentis and all those brave Aussie Diggers for the freedom we enjoy.
Photo in this post Sutton son, Edward or Jack....WW1 date unknown