Election Armistice - Another Fallen

Yesterday, the momentum of the Australian election campaign took a break.  By mutual consent, the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader paused their campaigns while they attended the funeral of Private Nathan Bewes, who was recently killed in Afghanistan.  This is a fairly recent tradition adopted by Australian political leaders.  It is to be commended,.

In the shadow of their humble grief

Joined by loss beyond belief

The people gather at the dawning

To remember, and do the mourning

For a life so freely given - we are beholden.

And the mighty came to share the caring

A day departed from campaign blaring

With a shoulder shared, a tear descending

Another day of tribal remembering

Of a life so freely given - or was it stolen?