What do you say to a dying mate?
As you sit and hold his hand?
What do you say to ease the pain?
That you know is so hard to stand
What do you say to the anguish you see
In his eyes that are washed with pain
What do you say when no words will suffice
When you know all is in vain
You fought through the days full of horror and strife
In the desert and the jungle green
But now that he’s dying what do you say
What does his life really mean?
He’s only a young man, still in his prime
He has hardly begun to live
But now it’s all over, and what do you say
When there is only his life left to give
He’s been your mate since you first joined up
Through the good times and the bad
But now you sit and hold his hand
And know that your days will be sad
For what do you say to a dying mate
When you know his time is short
When the flame, once bright, is now slowly dulled
Do you remember how well he fought?
You remember how he saved your life
How he was always there at your side
You remember his words, “I’m here mate.”
You’ll remember him with pride
An enemy bullet brought him down
And now you must say “Goodbye.”
But what do you say to your best mate
As you sit and watch him die
Roslyn Thomson
A life time of friendship put in to a poem moving beyond words.