[naturalman1975]

Stay with me, God. The night is dark
The night is cold. My little spark
Of courage dies. The night is long
Be with me, God, and make me strong
I love a game. I love a fight
I hate the dark. I love the light
I love my child. I love my wife
I am no coward. I love life

Life with its change of mood and shade
I want to live. I'm not afraid
But me and mine are hard to part
Oh, unknown God, lift up my heart

You stilled the waters at Dunkirk
And saved Your Servants. All Your work
Is wonderful, dear God. You strode
Before us down that dreadful road

We were alone and hope had fled
We loved our country and our dead
And could not shame them so we stayed
The course and were not much afraid

Dear God that nightmare road! And then
That sea! We got there - we were men
My eyes were blind, my feet were torn
My soul sang like a bird at dawn!

I know that death is but a door
I know what we are fighting for
Peace for the kids. Our brothers freed
A kinder world. A cleaner breed

I'm but the son my mother bore
A simple man and nothing more
But God of strength and gentleness
Be pleased to make me nothing less

Help me O God, when Death is near
To mock the haggard face of fear
That when I fall - if fall I must -
My soul may triumph in the dust.

**********

On Remembrance Day this year (which Americans refer to as Veterans Day, I believe), I posted the above in the forum. Somebody yesterday suggested I should post it here.

And I do so in tribute to the dead of my own nation, and of its allies, including especially the United States who are doing the heavy lifting in this current war.

I do not know the origins of this prayer, though it seems to date from World War II by its reference to Dunkirk. All I know is that my father carried it with him during his war service, and I hope that it was of help to him when he fell.

Later I carried it with me in the Gulf, and I know that it was a comfort to me then.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

It is beautiful Naturalman! Welcome to the Canteen.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Welcome to the Canteen naturalman!!!

Thank you for sharing this great poem with us.

Thank you for your service to your awesome country.

God bless you.

[TASMANIANRED]

You need to put a hankie alert on that.

My screen is all blurry.

[TASMANIANRED]

Your profile page is awesome.

Welcome to the Canteen.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, naturalman1975.
Thank you for your service to your country.

Australian National Anthem ~ Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia fair!"
Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our thanks, also, to your father for his service to your country.

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you, naturalman1975. This poem is haunting to me, as I feel it speaks from the soul of a soldier.

Pinging s'more of you in case you didn't read post #10 already...

[Cindy]

Snippet: "Later I carried it with me in the Gulf, and I know that it was a comfort to me then."

Thank you naturalman1975 for posting this poem here.