I am delighted to share the very first poem that my 8 year old niece Mele’ofa Finau in New Zealand has written. Mele’ofa’s primary school teacher asked her class to write a poem in remembrance of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) for this day April 25th 2018 – ANZAC Day. Below is Mele’ofa’s poem:
Lest We Forget
by Mele’ofa Finau (8 years old)
Really afraid
Cold, unsafe
Gas and smoke rise in the air
Mud. Everywhere.
Flies, starving with hunger
Tears dripping from my chin as I watch
People fighting.
Gunshots echo
People shout
Generals yell commands
Soldiers hiding the best they can
Behind dead trees.
The ground cracked as trenches tumble
People stuck with no escape
No flowers, no hope
Death for so many
Sadness
Then…
Coming home
Dad
Waiting anxiously
With happy tears of joy
Dripping from his chin
He sees me
His arms reach out
I feel happy that I’m home
And sad that my friends are not.
Photos: The photos below were taken during the ANZAC Day march in Melbourne City, Australia this morning which I was able to attend. With love, Dr. Maryanne Pale. #LestWeForget
Creative Talanoa 
“Sad that my friends are not.” Beautiful words from your niece. Thank you for sharing and alofas to all our families feeling sad today.
Nicely done. Poetry lets one transcend many boundaries.