THE INVADED
SINCE then and for a long time We were always in retreat. It was after the big hattle, Mud, metal arid the stench Of corpses in the slit trenches. And in our minds was defeat, defeat. Suddenly that captain appeared With a tew troops, hard, lean, Clothed like him in rags and a beard. Our shame, their weapons were clean. They went through, leaving us Pathetic as plucked fowls, theit eyes Mean and purposeful, not watching Us the machine-gun was stitching, Then there was silence As after the hocting of an owl. / Shortly after, I remember, We sometimes turned ani deployed To @nfilade the confident enemy From roadside timber, enjoying Pinking their datkened buttons, thinking Less of them tonight will be eating and drinking. -Then melting. rejoicing in rétreat On battle-blistered feet. We never saw that captain again. He was a living legend. They said He was dead among the guerrillas, ae Not then But latet we mounted our attack ,Aud hurled the unthinking enemy back. That soil we bled upon So desperately was out own. Now deep ploughing turns Weapons up from the war, and stones. Farmyard dogs. nose to the ground, |
Uncover graveless bones.
Denis
Glover
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19560907.2.52
Bibliographic details
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 35, Issue 892, 7 September 1956, Page 27
Word count
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200THE INVADED New Zealand Listener, Volume 35, Issue 892, 7 September 1956, Page 27
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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