Marilyn Humbert
More Than a Parade
Morning sun strikes the brass plaque near the base of the tree dazzling my eyes. I look up at the handcrafted wreath tied with wire about the trunk. It’s the 25th April. I’m wandering along Roma’s main street counting 140 decorated bottle trees.
bulbous trunks with upswept branches stretching towards the clouds to stars beyond
In the distance I see four mounted WW1 Light Horsemen. One holds high an unfurled Australian Flag.
lone drummer beats a slow march lest we forget shades of soldiers adrift on the sidelines
Following the vanguard of riders are descendants of those who died fighting at Gallipoli, mingling with families of soldiers from more recent armed conflicts, all marching, remembering, medals jingling.
I smile as the local brass band on the tray of a truck passes by playing a marching tune ahead of police, ambulance and service club representatives, scouts and guides, even CWA ladies. Lastly school cadets and younger school children in uniform solemnly march along the route to the cenotaph.
an avenue of honour planted in 1920 Roma remembers Gallipoli with unique native trees
About the Author
Marilyn Humbert lives in the Northern suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Her tanka and haiku appear in international and Australian journals, anthologies, and online. Her free-verse poems have been awarded prizes in competitions, published online and in anthologies.