Two Words of Seven Letters

A POEM FOR ANZAC DAY

BY JOHN ANSELL

Two words of seven letters,

Six of them the same.

The high road or the low road?

The honour or the shame?

Two words of seven letters

To tell us who you are.

(The ethical distinction

Is more than just PR.)

Two words of seven letters

Six of them the same

Help God Defend New Zealand

Or spawn a traitor’s name?

To stand up for your country

Or lie down with the ewes?

Two words of seven letters.

Which one will you choose?:

P ATRIOT

TRAITO R

n memory of John Vivian Telfer

b. 1888, Whangarei.

d. 1915, Gallipoli.