Classic Poem

I dreamed I lay shot through and mutilated,
And buried in the trench we filled again,
And all the heaps above the loved and hated
Were levelled down and flattened by the rain.

I dreamed I saw the daily-paper posters,
I watched the Sydney people stand and stare —
The Blankers, By-Joves and the Holy-Ghosters;
The Well-I-Nevers and Just-Fancies fair —

To see " The Death of Henry Lawson " printed
In letters tall and black and fairly stout;
To read he died a hero, hear it hinted
That all his debts were paid — the Bill Wiped Out!

I dreamed I lay beneath the briny ocean,
And mothers blessed my name with one accord,
And hearts I loved were moved with great emotion
To hear I volunteered to stay abroad;

And how I cheered the still-faced doomed, and fed them
On tales of hope, a " message from the sea "
I dreamed the Ly-ee-moon's sad bell had led them —
Had led a nation's bells that tolled for me.

I dreamed my boyhood's dream that long had faded,
To glow in clouds of selfish war at last;
I dreamed I fought in cities barricaded
With all my dream-companions of the past.

I dreamed I died for Justice and was honoured
By all the sister nations near and far —
And woke to thirst and reek and oaths and spittle;
For these were day-dreams in a Public Bar.