An Anzac Cap Poem by Jessie Pope

An Anzac Cap

Rating: 4.7


It hangs on the wall, a trifle battered,
The wire is warped and the lining tattered.
And the leather inside shows speakingly how
It’s been wet with the sweat of a soldier’s brow.

Month after month, through that fierce campaign—
The bitterest fight that was fought in vain—
It was jammed on an Anzac’s lean, brown poll,
As he pierced his way to a glimpse of goal.

Furlong by furlong, aye, inch by inch,
From the sniping shot to the cold-steel, clinch-
Fists, “rough-housing,” any old tools—
He got there each time by “Rafferty rules.”

Till a shell, with his name on, gave him a call—
And that is the tale of the cap on the wall,
But the sequel, though strange, is an equally true one—
Its owner, thank God, is now wearing a new one.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Adrian Flett 28 January 2019

An out of date jingoistic view of war

0 4 Reply
Ramesh T A 28 January 2019

The souvenir of war is the damaged cap on the wall! But the soldier is living wearing a new cap is solacing to read from the start to the end! Ravages of war many, but this one is hardship the soldier endured in the war is wonderfully depicted by this nice poem!

1 1 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 28 January 2019

CONGRATULATIONS to the family of the poetess, this poem being chosen as the CLASSIC POEM Of The Day. A frank poem full of facts. This poem will never be obsolete, there is war constantly on earth. Fascinatingly worded.

1 1 Reply
Edward Kofi Louis 28 January 2019

That was fought in vain! ! ! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

0 0 Reply
James Mclain 28 January 2019

A soldiers feet in the past or the future, should never stand firm in the present.

0 0 Reply
Glen Kappy 28 January 2019

i like this ballad-style poem—a lot for the surprise at the end. -gk

0 0 Reply
Ratnakar Mandlik 28 January 2019

An interesting and intriguing story poem about war and it's effects on soldiers.

0 0 Reply
Dr Antony Theodore 28 January 2019

A very fine poem. congratulations.. for becoming POD Tony

0 0 Reply
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Jessie Pope

Jessie Pope

Leicestershire, England
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