A QUIET GRAVESIDE MOMENT
Commonwealth Cemetery: Nairobi, Kenya

The Jews are buried on the left, the Moslems to the right
The Brits are buried in between, yes most of them were white*
Canadians scattered here and there, their names on lonely stones
The rich deep soil of Africa now covers up their bones

These Canadians came to Africa to keep the Congo Peace
Now they rest in silent rows here under these stones they sleep
Global peace is what they sought, death o'er seas is what they got
The Marquis family they still weep, in their hearts fond memories keep

In Calgary they have a street, named after Staff Marquis
And on the wall of honour, etched his name for all to see
We who lay these wreaths today, bow our heads and quietly pray:
"Watch o'er our soldiers in harm's way, our brothers of the blue beret"

©Copyright August 4, 2004 by William H.A. Willbond MSM, CD

* This is factual not racial! The three groups lie in peace together; joined as brothers-in-arms during life, they now sleep together, under these Stones, in peace. Ghurkhas, Sikhs, and Jamaicans all formed part of the British Army but it is a fact that most soldiers were white. Regardless of race, colour or creed, they are all buried together. And outside the cemetery, (these grave stones) are surrounded by the teeming masses of Africans who fought and won Independence from imperialism.