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Daughter of John Forgione
Mary Michael’s Poetry
***
The FEPOW Community
by Mary Michael
There is a site to which we all belong
United in our research from Burma to Hong Kong
Started by a FEPOW son in memory of his Dad
Some of the stories we share are really quite sad
What we have in common and share
Is a thirst for knowledge of how, what and where
Information regarding the Far Eastern Prisoner of War
A need to know all they suffered and saw
They were our fathers and grandfathers and more
Sent off to fight in that bloody awful war
Now we long to follow the path that they took
In doing so read book after book
The knowledge we gain we share with each other
Helping each other with more info to discover
Supporting each other when the going gets tough
And caring for each other when the research gets rough
It's not a very easy research to do
When you first start you haven't a clue
Where to look or what to look for
Thank goodness for others who know so much more
So thanks for the help and support we all get
To some we will forever be in your debt
For each who stand out for their help to everyone
We appreciate the time you take to get the job done
Too many give up their own personal time
With patience and understanding and always so kind
To help with the knowledge we all need to find
Never complaining or ever seeming to mind
It's really nice knowing there's others out there
So helpful and thoughtful and showing they care
But the more we research the bigger the paper pile grows
Where to put it all, oh! who knows!
***
The Fepow Candle
by Mary Michael
Light a candle upon this Christmas Day
And for all the FEPOW's a little prayer do say
Light a candle in their name
And cherish their memory within the flame
Light a candle for us all to share
And show others how much we all do care
Light a candle this time of year
To honour the men with a quietly shed tear
Light a candle upon this Christmas Day
So we may all join together in this very special way.
***
The 18th Division
by Mary Michael
"For their country they did serve and recognition do so deserve"
On the William Sail they came
Proud and longing to fight with hearts aflame
To the Far Eastern Shores of Singapore
Where many a man would be the same no more
Oh how hard they fought
But victory was not to be bought
The Battle of Bukit Road raged
Till it was realized it just couldn't be saved
Young and brave the fear crept in
Why were we sent too late to win
For the men of the 18th this was their fame
Did they deserve to take history's blame
For they were trained for the desert not over here
Why they were there they sure weren't clear
The men of the 18th try as they might
There was no way they could win this fight
The fight over there sure wasn't fair
What's a Jap, what does he wear
How could they know about jungle warfare
This was their first battle but who did care
Alas no victory for the 18th would there be
Instead part of the Singapore surrender history
With all of the rest of the brave heroes over there
With no chance or hope to escape the Jap's brutal care
Why were our men left over there
With not a thought or a care
Where were the planes and rest of the supplies
Nothing appeared from out of the skies
In these words the truth can be seen
How unfair and unjust it all has been
Time now to honour and acclaim
And give these brave men finally their fame
***
A Child Soldier's Mother
"The son goes to war and the mother hears no more"
by Mary Michael
(Daughter of a Fepow
He was a child before he went to War
A son, a brother with a lot to live for
He went to school to learn to read and write
That's before he was taught to be a soldier and fight
He had a mother, father, sisters and brothers
Aunts, uncles and cousins amongst so many others
Life was full with the job of growing up
Totally unaware that a war was about to erupt
Who does know what the future does hold
About which so many tales will be told
Enjoy the innocence of being a child
With memories of being unruly and wild
Be a good son to your father and mother
And to their children be a big brother
For when you grow up and home do leave
The rest of your family is going to grieve
For your country wants you to serve
With courage and a whole lot of nerve
In a far off country so forlorn
Nothing like home and the land you were born
You long for the past your mother's soft touch
And you surely don't like this war very much
Memories of family and a much better time
Long before you came a prisoner of no crime
Your family long for news of your fate
Won't have that until a much later date
Taken a prisoner by those who don't care
And this information they will refuse to share
Your mother for your safety will pray
Her thoughts and worry making her gray
Not knowing or hearing with nothing to say
Just coping and hoping for a much better day
Her son is missing and that's all she knows
A fear in her heart relentlessly grows
The pain of not knowing takes it toil
As her son is a prisoner of war on a faraway soil
Her oldest son was sent off to war
Following him, two more
Leaving behind a mother to worry and fret
Hoping for the peace she will not yet get
***
A Soldier’s Final Remembrance
‘Let their memory survive forever within us still alive’
by Mary Michael
Remember all those who didn’t come home
May their memory be more than engraved in stone
Remember the boys and all the young men
Who surely didn’t deserve for their lives to end
Remember that their lives they gave
Were given so our future they could save
Remember lives taken in the name of war
Remember they couldn’t have given any more
Remember always and never forget those who died
Remember them all with much respect and pride
May their memory forever in our hearts burn bright
Remembering those who lost their own mortal fight
Remember also those who lost the ones they did love
Know that they are now looking down from above
May their spirits now all finally soar and be free
Knowing they did all they could for their country
Remember also the ones who survived
With memories of all those who died
May they too peace finally get
Knowing that we will never forget
Remember them all on this Remembrance Day
At the Memorial as flowers and a wreath we do lay
May we proudly wear our FEPOW pins today
Knowing finally all loved ones are having their say
***
A Soldiers Memorial
‘May we Never Forget’
by
Mary Michael
(Daughter of a Fepow)
Standing watching as the wreath is laid
Memories and faces that had begun to fade
Seeing soldiers so young and so bold
Now knowing so many wouldn’t grow old
Today the faces of so many I do see
Memories of them always haunting me
As Jap Prisoners of War so much we did share
Wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those who did care
So many not returning to be here with me
I wish you could see all the faces that I see
But for today their memory is shared by all
Never forget these men who are forever so tall
So lay the wreath on the memorial’s cold stone
And remember all those who didn’t make it home
And take a glance over at me and you will see
For all my lost buddies are standing here within me
***
May We Never Forget
‘Their youth they gave for your life to save’
by
Mary Michael
(Daughter of a FEPOW)
Alone they stand within the crowd
Upright with head slightly bowed
Veteran’s Day here once again
Fewer now to share memory and pain
Memories abound within their head
Of comrades long ago lost or dead
They were so young and so very bold
Serving their country is what they were told
Leaving home and country for a foreign war
Never forgetting nor sharing all that they saw
So many not returning to be here today
For freedom the full price they did pay
But their brave and fighting spirit is still here
For they are the reason we now live without fear
They are reason for the freedom we now see
And they are the reason that we are still free
To the veterans there is so much we do owe
As unknowing about our daily lives we go
We live neither in fear, humble or meek
Thankful that our own language we still speak
Our National flag is waving so proud
Our National Anthem is sung so loud
For veterans today are the Heroes of War
Remember them still when they here are no more
If a veteran you happen to meet
Whether family or stranger in the street
Take the time for a thank you to say
Bless them all and not only on Veteran’s Day
***
For Alistair
By Mary Michael
There are no words to say enough
About a man whom we all love
Some people just get into your heart
And his name is Alistair Urquhart
Of himself no man could give more
As he did during the Second World War
He had a hard story he wanted to tell
Which started the day Singapore fell
His memories he wanted to share
Though remembering for him was hard to bear
For all to read he wrote his book
Despite the grief and pain it took
But Alistair did finish his tale
And the book did go on sale
So much he could tell and teach
So many he did try to reach
The Gordon highlanders have lost their own
One of the finest perhaps to be known
The pipe's a sad tune today will play
The day that Alistair was taken away
But his kindness and warmth will stay
Within our hearts remembered each day
His inspiration and love will live on
No, Alistair, you will never be forgotten
‘May God Bless Them All’
Photo by Alan Richardson
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