They’re buried in our memories, and held
For centuries: events, and dates, and faces.
But memories run deep, as deep as wells -
Look in. Whose face is that? You can’t quite tell;
Keep staring, and you’re still hard-pressed to place it.

Who can say what’s false and what is valid?
An unbiased court alone could learn.
Please be careful when the past is tallied;
Do not break that fragile earthen urn.

Oftentimes, in my mind, still awaken
Certain sayings from the war;
Like, "A sapper can be once mistaken -
And no more."

Half-heartedly, some rummage through the past,
While some try to recall it, without pleasure;
And others would much rather take a pass;
So, undiscovered it remains, alas -
Like a forever-hidden ancient treasure.

Like a flood, the years have been unsparing;
No more signposts keeping you on track.
In the past, you just might lose your bearings,
And might never find a pathway back.

Now and then, in my mind, still awaken
Certain sayings from the war;
Like, "A sapper can be once mistaken -
And no more."

Don’t be so quick to dole out blame just yet!
For digging’s hard, and folks have cause to loathe it.
They wish not to conceal, but to forget:
Amidst the years there lies another threat -
So many rusty mines, still unexploded.

In the minefield of a bygone era
Caution is especially prescribed.
Minefields never give you room for error;
If you err, you won’t come out alive.

To this day, in my mind, still awaken
Certain sayings from the war;
Like, "A sapper can be once mistaken -
And no more."

Just one wrong move - a clock will start to tick,
And then, all hell breaks loose a minute later...
Explosions are too sudden to predict.
If only we’re alert enough, and quick,
To, just in time, remove the detonator!

Even now, mines still can be detected
In the Earth that’s sleeping safe and sound.
May they be by able hands collected,
And blown up where people aren’t around.

This is why, in my mind, still awaken
Certain sayings from the war;
Like, "A sapper can be once mistaken -
And no more."