The Kadaitchi Witch Doctor Knight
HARRY WEST
The Kadaitchi (Witch Doctor) Knight
Harry stood alone and sniffed the breeze
a pongy hay smell, Japanese
Harry sheltered there beneath a tree
a gum tree dripping sap
The Black Knight shed his lap lap
joined the natives from Rabaul
he took the weight from one sore back
when a native carrier fell
Samurai sadist with a sword
shouted at this poor man
The carriers head then went forward
Blood rushed out oer the sand
It was Kokoda 1942 our Harry West had seen,
the timeless trackless mountains all made of jungle green,
yellow peril so sadistic take a life with casual ease,
slaughter in a jungle where Aussies fought with Japanese
At nightfall all lay down their load
And drifted off to sleep
But Harry slyly watched the toad
Then upon the Jap did creep
The blunt pocket knife did cut
The yellow perils throat
The carriers then were free, but
No time to stay and gloat
Harry went back and got
sugar bag full of grenades
machine gun pit blown, the dead to rot
Harry reigned on their parade
You couldn’t follow Harry
He’d learned his craft too well
Cassowary moccasins would carry
Harry left no track or smell.
Japanese thought he was evil, when
He didn’t give em any chance
Just threw grenades amongst them
To watch em scream and dance…..Don Johnson
Harry’s best friend had died fighting and Harry swore revenge and went native
behind the Japanese lines, naked he carried a few hand grenades in a sugar bag.
The Japanese thought a black demon was stalking them in these green mountains,
On the Kokoda trail. Harry West an Australian Aboriginal Soldier from Goodooga got the
Military Medal, he should have got the Victoria Cross he earned it.
Copyright © Don Johnson | Year Posted 2010
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment