After 1918 with the war won, the troops left the Western Front lines
Around Armentières they started to clean up the detritus they would find
Then on those cold nights on the old battlefields reports started to come in
Of groups of Australian soldiers walking the roads and laneways again
And they were knocking on restaurant and farm housedoors
Wanting fried eggs, chips and wine like they had done many times before
But these soldiers were unlike others who had asked in the past
They were the phantoms of dead soldiers making the French people gasp
One group were so jolly they were let in, having a meal and paying with old coins
Then there was the large digger with a wounded throat wanting a drink purloined
The French Government became involved when the rumours persisted then
So they sent scientists to get to the bottom of it and the rumours to end
And one evening as they were near Armentières, they encountered some diggers
Who waved them to follow as they ran forward to the crest of a hill with vigour
The scientists saw figures struggling and fighting until they suddenly disappeared
They reported these events as the mystery remained as phantoms again reappeared.
© Paul Warren Poetry
This one is surely different, Paul. I like the story (poem) very much.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
The ANZACS in France - souls that will never rest their ghostly spirits live on. A lesson in history and poetry. so vividly (and eerily) captured by your words