Morobe Warriors
p. 66 · Read in the full issue
A NEW generation of warriors now lie beside the old pioneers in Salamaua’s Cemetery . These verses, written to their memory, are by Alice Allen Innes.
The jungle’s most luxuriant shawl Has draped from sight the shame-scarred land.
Soft winds play down from rugged heights To whisper prayers, fair grasses fanned, ’
And stirs to swaying reverence, boughs Tender and green; a living shawi lt guards the graves of heroes now.
In still suspense of tropic night Shall muted drums of battle call?
Do ghost-men through leaf-caverns glide, From far green worlds, defiant all?
Do ghost-canoes still haunt the strand, Wreck’d barge, by craft of yesteryear, Since fire and terror smote this land?
When from the henceforth sacred hills, When planes from Missim to the Sea Shall zoom by Lae to Parsee Heads And breast the winds contemptuously, There, strong sou’-east or wild nor’-west Shall vie with rain-squalls on the bay To echo paeans of pioneers, And spirits brave of long-past years.
So we must see, though through our tears This voiceless song shall live for aye . .
The victory notes each sleeper hears Saluting conquerors of to-day.