The HCMC Collective 1

i.
Ho Chi Minh traffic
No need for green men and red lights
If you know, you flow

ii.
The War Museum
Lack of narrative compels
fresh storytelling

iii.
Thirty years later
Agent Orange courses through
the bloodstream

Ian Row

Speed Round 7

i.
crystal clear water
local pool, hardly a soul
early morning dip

Leah Billeam

ii.
there's rain on the way
mugs of cocoa, trashy books -
hibernation time!

Cathy Dineen

iii.
Dropping acid
would be simplier
on Fridays.

Karen McVean

iv.
how did we get here?
words, then war. now, an impasse
my turn to wait

Ian Row

v.
Showdown with old friend
In fact, not old and not friend
In fact not showdown

Chris Gill

An ANZAC* Day Collective

*Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
i.
Badge sellers
Five bucks from my pocket
Anzac hat.

Karen McVean

ii.
Anzac Cove at dawn
Now glowing in candlelight
Not the fire of yore.

Leah Billeam

iii.
dawn service
remember the fallen
and the falling

Ian Row

iv.Remembrance Day
Yet do they observe
that which they mark with ritual?
Is grief uniform?

Chris Gill

v.
the parade
wings, stars, medallions
the spoils of war

Ian Row

vi.
Let us rejoice
Remembering our Anzac warriors
Welling tears

Karen McVean

vii.Truth in labelling
Men in uniform:
parade day; gay bar theme night;
objects and agents.

Chris Gill

viii.
oaty delicious
indulgence is justified
by war's leftovers

Cesca Alice

ix.
Last Post
A call to silent prayer
Bowed, respect.

Karen McVean

Learn more about the ANZAC Day Tradition