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.
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!
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.
That was fought in vain! ! ! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
A soldiers feet in the past or the future, should never stand firm in the present.
i like this ballad-style poem—a lot for the surprise at the end. -gk
An interesting and intriguing story poem about war and it's effects on soldiers.
A very fine poem. congratulations.. for becoming POD Tony
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
An out of date jingoistic view of war