The winning poetry

The winning poetry

Winner: ‘Marching On’ by Tony Byrne

MARCHING ON

By Tony Byrne Seize the day, seize the day, come and take the pay Carpe Diem, so the posters say Orders are given along the way Time to leave home To the left, to the right, and a chance to fight Into the ranks, keep it night and tight Soldiers and Sailors and Airmen plight Hope never marches alone.

“Very well, very well”, so in we fell Ev’ryone had a tale to tell Together we’d advance through hell Eager to serve the throne Rapid fire, cease fire, into danger dire And a sight in the night made us all perspire Night through, “stand to” round the mess tine fire So hope never marches alone.

Make it last, make it fast, stand beside the mast And swagger a bit as you’re marching past Ready to hear ‘Last Post’ at last Command is in the tone Here they come, hear the drum, and they’re on the run In victory o’er a foe hard won No more to hear the silent gun God’s hope never marches alone.

Take the strife, take the fife, it cuts like a knife Out of the Force, time to take a wife Going back to civilian life End of the job you’ve known To the fun in the sun, and to ev’ryone Here in this club for the veteran Each of us here has service done Real hope never marches alone. Real hope never marches alone.