Ghosts - The Hmas Arunta Gun Poem by Paul Warren

The gun to the destroyer was taken off
At the end of the war when it was pensioned off
It had seen the Pacific Battles and made its name
As the HMAS Arunta against the Japanese game

She had been to the Leyte Gulf battle in history made
And a near miss to the side killed two crew members in bravery grade
They had survived the war and it brought the men home
Including the chief gunner who settled no more to roam

He made a life and a family during the Golden Years
When the Greatest Generation wiped away the war years tears
Until one day he was on holiday in Queensland as perfect as can be
And he came across the HMAS Arunta Gun inmuseum to see

The years faded away and his youth returned to him that day
And he smelt again the sea spray and the deadly battle way
He was alone with the gun and in a heavenly light his mates he saw again
With youthful smiles and they stood together as friends

They spoke again and he felt as he had returned to the good times
When the world was young and life was so sublime
And he sat on the gun sight with his mates around
As he passed on with his mates without uttering a sound.

© Paul Warren Poetry