ANZAC Day
And
And so they came
And they were bearing standards of war
And they were wearing Iron Crosses upon their chests
And they were wearing yokes and mantles about their necks
And they were riding demon beasts made of steel
Breathing death with every shout and whisper
And the people cried, begged, pleaded and died
And then they left
And the screams and whispers of the dying followed
And the survivors, few though they were
Walked lost and dazed, through the rubble that once was their homes
And the people tried to understand that which they could not
And the children tried to ask questions they could not form
And the dead lay where they fell
And the dogs did not
And the village mourned the loss of all they once cherished
The innocence of the children at peace with the world
And slowly they came together again
And no one could look upon another without seeing again
And their eyes were haunted by one moment in time
And their hands would not touch
And their ears would not hear
And their hearts would not feel
For all the good had been sullied by the blood of the children
And through all they know the sun will go down and rise again
And the birds will still sing at dawn
And the rain will fall from winter skies
And the children will still be born
And time will carry on her long slow march
Until the tears are dried and life is gone for all
Then peace will reign once more
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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76.3% Yes
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22.3% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
CAROLS ON THE GREEN
Sunday 1 December, 4-6.30pm, on H N Village Green. Koha sausage sizzle, Santa, Bay Cities's Symphonic Band, Dianne Abraham, Men in Black, Hukarere Girls' College, carol singing. Bring your chairs and a picnic basket and join the festivities. If inclement weather, we'll move into the church.