Heartache
Mary Vella, yr. 10
I MISS YOU
Three words that are the compression of love, of pain, of misery, and of joy. Words that shout of emotions and yet so few in number.
The paper it is written on is yellow with age. Stained from long ago tears, by an ordinary man, a husband, and a father.
He had known it would be hard to leave his home, his country, and his family. In the name of peace.
His comfort had lain in the expectancy of letters. Pages of words, details of their child's first words, his first steps, first day of school. He had received three words.
The mail service of a third world country is unreliable, if anything looks like it could contain money or extra food rations than it wasn't safe.
He knew he could drop out. Just go home and spend Christmas with his family, roasting marshmallows and pealing prawns. But he was a man of honor and duty, so he stayed. He kept the peace, fed the hungry and assisted civilians.
He was a peacekeeper.
So he stood, dusted of his pants and picked up the blue.
Then he went to keep the peace.
KEEPERS OF PEACE
Isabella Shogren, yr. 9
Peace is present when war is away.
If a fight is forgotten, then justice can stay.
For if a quarrel has two sides, as it always must
One side will prove wrong, truly unjust.
So when the guns falter and firing breaks
Justice prevails and peace, silence makes
Then shall soldiers fight for peace to be kept
And that true fight, the world will accept.
THE PEACEKEEPER
Anita Daniel, yr. 10
A peacekeeper makes the world a better place to live.
They are mediators,' counsellors, and extremely supportive.
A soldier who preserves or promotes charity and peace.
Advocates against war for it to cease.
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The peacekeeper possesses many characteristics and traits.
Many of which are also embedded within their mates.
Bravery, courage, discipline, and cooperation.
Empathy, patience, trust, and determination.
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A peacekeeper has many sacrifices to make.
Leaving their own families behind to help others at stake.
They face hardships like fear, rejection, and isolation.
They suffer and work hard to bring forth the rebirth of a nation.
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Their eyes have seen immense suffering and loss.
Abuse of the innocent, murder, and violence across.
Destruction of livelihood and property to ashes.
The controlled silence of the masses.
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In a world of social, political, and religious turmoil.
The tireless work of the peacekeeper is critical.
They restore peace to all in need.
So, people across the world are finally freed.
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Drawing of a peacekeeper in East Timor by Gianna Oñederra, yr. 10.
Peace Keeping
Louis-Joseph Morris, yr. 10
Finding the root causes of conflict to gain peace,
and planting foundations so they don't go away;
many peacekeepers risk their lives for their country,
how brave this is I can't put to words and say.
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The defence contribution is now called RAMSIS,
the people they helped nick-named them 'helping friend';
peacekeepers don't give up they always carry on,
even though for some it will be their end.
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Many of these people will help prevent great wars,
some putting their lives on the line to keep us free;
they are what is holding Australia as one,
without peacekeepers there is no more you and me.
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And when you ask yourself why they do all this for us,
you can be certain it has nothing to do with pride;
they work as one to bring Australia forward,
while when danger comes at us we go run and hide.