Poem: Heroes by Eric Ngalle Charles

Heroes

For Ellis H. Evans 1887-1917 The Shepherd war poet Hedd Wyn

Many Moons ago before I was born a story was told of a great king called Kuva Likenye With tears in his eyes, Kuva invoked ancient spirits they heard his voice, his lamentations, they came singing. “Djembe Kumbi Eezrewa Etongi Etongi Ndi Mawongor Wanna Wa Njuma Ezraweya Evonda ya Njuma emuka Ja’ataneya ndo Mavanni”. With the spirits, Kuva built a wall, a kortoh, outside the Kortoh, German war machine raged. Many moons ago before morning breeze greeted my face, a war was fought in a distant land. It was, as Owen said, “Dim through the misty panes, and thick green light. As under a green sea”, That “old lie”, in droves they died. Hedd Wyn went, a journey of no return. Beyond the horizon young boys young girls, quake in their boots of what might or might not come from behind the wall. Mothers dressed in sackcloth picking empty bullets shells, in reverse. In this fight, in this great war, only the maggots win. Many moons ago tales were told of soldiers – dead and buried in distant lands souls roaming craving for one last journey home, Hedd Wyn was there, lost. They found them dead at dawn, bodies littered here and there holes on their helmets

one soldier, eyes open, as if following the path of his death, In his right hand was a note.

Eric Ngalle Charles Commissioned by Literature Wales and funded by the Welsh Government for the 2019 Holy Glimmers of Goodbyes event

2018

In 2018, the emphasis of commemoration turned to the final year of the war and in particular the Armistice and the end of the conflict. Joining with the rest of the UK, our National Service at Llandaff Cathedral on 11 November was the cornerstone of the remembrance that took place during the day. Other activities continued throughout the year, including exhibitions, artistic events, and research, building our understanding and offering new ways to engage with commemoration.

Right: Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff © Visit Wales