On Normandy’s shore where courage was found, Eighty years past, where brave hearts abound. June’s dawn broke with a somber might, As heroes rose to reclaim the night.
The waves whispered tales of sacrifice and pain, Of lives intertwined in freedom’s refrain. Sand stained with the price they paid, In silent homage, our heads are laid.
Their footsteps echo through time’s vast sea, A legacy of valor, of souls set free. In fields of Normandy, where poppies grow, We remember their names, their stories in tow.
For each brave heart that stormed the gate, Their memory endures, in hearts they await. Eighty years on, we still recall, Their gift of freedom, their noble call.
In ancient China’s land of lore, Where history’s tales forever soar, Beneath the earth, in silent wait, The Terracotta Army sealed their fate.
Beneath Xi’an’s vast, ancient soil, A secret lay, wrapped in turmoil, Soldiers made of clay and stone, Guarding the emperor’s eternal throne.
For centuries, they stood below, Warriors in rows, an endless show, In darkness deep, they bided time, Preserving stories of an age sublime.
But destiny’s call, it could not hide, As time marched on, they would not bide, From the earth, they rose one day, To greet the world in grand display.
Each soldier carved with skill and grace, A warrior’s spirit in every face, Terracotta hearts, once cold and still, Now brought to life, a destiny to fulfil.
From the depths of time, they reappear, A testament to history’s grip so near, The Terracotta Army, now they rise, A wonder to behold ‘neath ancient skies.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the famous Dambusters raids, I asked ChatGPT to write a poem. The illustration from Bing Create proved rather more challenging!
In days of darkness, when the world did tremble, A squadron of heroes dared to assemble. With thunderous roars and wings held high, They took to the skies, embracing the sky.
Eighty years have passed, since the fateful night, When Lancasters soared with courage and might. In the heart of conflict, they braved the storm, The brave boys who flew, their spirits warm.
Among them, the Dambusters, a force to behold, Their valor and skill, stories forever told. With Barnes Wallis’ dream, a mission begun, To break the dams, a battle to be won.
Over valleys and rivers, they flew so true, Carrying hopes of a nation, steadfast and true. Their Lancasters roared with a mighty sound, As they ventured forth, above the ground.
Through darkness they soared, their hearts afire, Their wings embraced by a vengeful desire. Low and fast, they kissed the waves below, Challenging destiny, as only heroes know.
Against the tempest, they pressed their might, With every bomb dropped, a beacon of light. Their targets embraced the fury of war, Yet they flew on, each brave lad and more.
Amidst the chaos, they showed us the way, With steadfast courage, they held fear at bay. Through flak and fire, they danced with fate, Bound by a brotherhood, resolute and great.
Their Lancasters trembled, but they never wavered, As they etched their names, their valor unshattered. With each mission flown, their legend grew, In the hearts of a nation, forever true.
So, let us remember those daring souls, Whose spirits soared higher than we can behold. On this 80th anniversary, we stand in awe, Of the brave boys who flew, and the freedom they saw.
In the annals of history, their names shall remain, As beacons of courage, through joy and through pain. We honour their sacrifice, forever they’ll shine, The Lancasters, the Dambusters, a tribute divine.
The Poems I Never Wrote 