LEST WE FORGET

AN ANZAC DAY MEMORY

I attended an ANZAC service at the Tuncurry
Memorial Park.I shed a tear for the diggers
and walked back home.On the way,I thought
of another day when tears were shed in
memory of fallen comrades in arms.

There were men in the loungeroom.A reunion,
Mum said.I was told to go outside to play.
I didn't.I sneaked up the hall and pushed the
loungeroom door open a crack.I could see
brown beer bottles on the low table.It must
have been a special occasion.The bottles
with VB labels only appeared at Christmas
or when Hawthorn won the footy.

I pushed the door open wider.I saw men
lined up and my father standing in front of
them,reading from a book.I coudn't hear what
Dad was saying.Tears rolled down his face.
My Dad was crying.I crept away.