AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 108 of 237 12 An Ode to a Soldier Maj Gen Ian Cardoza / John McRae Genre : War Poetry The Marigold Our Marigold, this simple flower in many ways it meets the hour of valiant soldiers who in combat die and to their Maker skywards fly. From ancient times, this favorite bloom has commemorated ‘womb to tomb’ of life and death in equal measure and other moments we all treasure. But in times of war this flower sheds its fragrant petals to mourn her dead for those who fought for you and me and scarified their destiny. So, pause a moment all who care and offer up in silent prayer this sacred flower for a soldier’s death to remember that last most precious breath. Ian Cardozo, 28 March 2016