Seasickness and fear

As the beaches draw near.

Overhead artillery booms

Illuminating the Normandy morning with the first flashes of battle.

Soldiers in landing craft, donning their gear

Saying final prayers,

as bullets pierce the air

announcing  the enemy.

Landing craft doors slap the angry surf,

Men jump into too deep waters,

some carried by the weight of their loads or murderous fire,

to the bosom of Neptune.

Others bravely wade to shore,

Amid the ordinance, obstacles,

blood and bodies of their comrades.

Then rush to meagre shelter by the sea wall,

As the officer shouts that only the dead and the soon to be dead

will remain on these beaches under fire.

The armada of a thousand ships at dawn grow fear and stubborn determination in the

the German defenders,

And hope in the hearts of French civilians.

Their resistance emerges into the light,

as they pray these liberators shall prevail against their oppressors.

D-Day, December 17 2008.

The beginning of the end of the greatest conflict in history,

The freedom we now enjoy

born with from this day’s terrible labour,

Leaving debts to the soldiers living and dead

That can never be repaid.

Except that we are thankful,

and promise never to forget their great sacrifices.