Finest of mortal friends, I'll not forget

When the war's a faded memory in the land

Which once stood tensely in the closing net,

I'll think of what is past - and understand

Yours was a truthful voice among the lies,

Unshaken by the falsehoods that were rife;

You were the men with level fearless eyes

Who lived with death, yet still believed in life

Laughter was yours, that held no bitter sting

That bubbled up more quickly than the rest.

Your steady friendship was a sacred thing

And I who held it was doubly blessed.

Decades of easy peace may go their way

And tide and time will drift us far apart -

But you who shared our savage Yesterday,

Will hold the highest places in my heart.

 Flight Lieutenant Peter Roberts