Recently I led a delegation from my regiment to Ekeren Belgium where we dedicated a memorial park to the regiment in recognition of our liberation of that city in 04 October 1944. I wrote this on reflection of the event.


The Essex Scottish Ode to Ekeren

We came from far away
Hearing a call of outrage
A people held hostage
To the ravings of a madman
Five years of anguish
Five years of inhumanity

We came as innocents
From villages factories and farms
Naive to the horror of war
Our strength, steadfast belief
In dignity of self, In dignity of others
Warrior skills honed fast
At the price of lost comrades

We came as friends to Ekeren
Not to occupy nor to conquer
Battle hard disciplined
We did not remain
Save for our dead
Left to rest eternally
In your loving care as sentinels
To our struggled passing

We pressed on to free others
Leaving peace in our wake
Our hearts remained here
Entwined with the loving
Of a grateful people
Now free to choose
A destiny of hope



Poetry by josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
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Written on 2019-11-09 at 15:03

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shells
A difficult subject beautifully executed, I salute you.
2019-11-11



A solemnity and an excellence. I salute you, sir.
2019-11-10


ken d williams The PoetBay support member heart!
I appresaite all that you and your pals/buddy's did Josephs. Equilde only by this work of yours.
Ken D
2019-11-09


jim The PoetBay support member heart!
A heartfelt tribute, warmly and deeply expressed, Joe.
2019-11-09