War And Peace - Ww1 - Smoking Gum Leaves Poem by Paul Warren

Aborigines in a blessing for all to see
Sing and have a smoking ceremony
To show the link to their land
Eucalyptus leaves are burnt by hand

In the Great War the Australians stood hardy
In death's call that was always handy
The mud and blood meant mate-ship grew
Supporting each other in friendship true

Their families in support that's keen
Sent their letters in love to glean
With them gum leaves were included
So their Anzac could smell home extruded

The Australian soldiers all gathered round
And piled their gum leaves on the ground
Then a smoking fire was made
And a breath of Australia made this grade

So when you visit the Western Front now
Take some gum leaves with you to know
That you can smoke the leaves for them
Honour them with smoke to the sky you send

© Paul Warren Poetry