“Down under” boys on furlough are in town <br /> Discharged from hospital, repaired and braced, <br />Their faces still retain, their native brown, <br /> Their millinery captivates our taste. <br /> <br />They’ve proved themselves a terror to the Turk, <br /> Of cut and thrust they bear full many a token, <br />But though they’ve been through grim, heartbreaking work, <br /> The Anzac spirit never can be broken. <br /> <br />Their talk is picturesque, their manner frank, <br /> A little hasty, what they think— they say— <br />They’ve got a down on arrogance and swank, <br /> Passive submission doesn’t come their way. <br /> <br />Risk and adventure are their fondest joys, <br /> If there’s a fight around, well, they’ll be in it— <br />To tell the truth, they really are “some” boys— <br /> You get quite friendly with them in a minute. <br /> <br />Quite friendly, yes, no harm in being friends, <br /> They must not find their furlough dull and tame, <br />But, girls, see to it there the matter ends, <br /> And show thatLondongirls can play the game, <br /> <br />While of good comradeship you take your fill <br /> Don’t use your power to make their hearts your plunder, <br />But let them pause, and hear when nights are still <br /> The other girl who coo-ees from “down under.”<br /><br />Jessie Pope<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/coo-ee/
