The Ageless Conflict Song Poem by Wayne Falconer

All our past violent twentieth century long
kiwi sons answered the war drum patriot song.
First as dominion next as commonwealth member.
Today only the bronzed ghost let us remember.

In 1901 our countrymen sons fought the boer
during a cruel south African English war.
Why New Zealand was involved I can't explain.
What point did we have to lose or gain?

In 1915 at Gallipoli the kiwi anzacs fought.
Learning the savage lessons trench warfare taught.
Later in France, kiwi soldiers battled the hun
where bullets, blood and mud shut out the sun.

20,000 dead and wounded was the price we payed
at Gallipoli and in flanders fields they are laid.
A whole generation of slain men were forever lost.
Why you might wonder did we pay this terrible cost.

World war II brought massive unparalled destruction.
Whole civilised world was caught up in the eruption.
Our kiwi volunteers answered the countries call,
they were young adventurous brave and tall.

The nazis and japs were histories worst threat.
Their enslaving evil conquest had to be met.
In every theatre of war kiwi brothers fought
with flesh and blood our freedoms victory was brought.

In peace and conflict Korea, Vietnam came and went.
Our soldiers of another young generation were sent.
Spreading the democratic force of western might,
while the burning bombs rained down in daylight.

All this terrible violent past century long.
Kiwis have fought war the right and the wrong,
yet once past enemies, now are called friend
with the same economic market borders to defend.

While still ageless conflict drags forever along
like some recurring devil made nightmare song.
While I wonder where truths answer does lie,
perhaps only history shall tell us one day why?