Post by fortunateson on Oct 27, 2007 19:31:27 GMT -5
The Long Dark Road by William E. Brougher is a small book of poems written while a captive of the Japanese after the Surrender at Bataan.
There are only 89 pages in this little book of 38 poems, and 3 photographs.
Note: Written four months after the date of surrender and on the eve of departure for our unknow destination in Formosa
I first came across this book in a dusty footlocker that belonged to my Dad, First Lieutenant Macario T. del Rosario. He kept few memorabilias of his 33 years in the U.S. Army, and even fewer reminders of his time on Bataan and as a prisoner of war. But this is one book that he kept. I only saw him read it once, to himself, when the house was quiet and he thought he was by himself.
When my father died in 1960 the little things that must have meant so much to only him were lost or given away and, I think, this little book of poems also.
After 45 years of searching, I found a copy on eBay. It is signed by the author.
I've picked it up a few times to read one or two poems at a time - when the house is quiet, and I am alone.
There are only 89 pages in this little book of 38 poems, and 3 photographs.
The Long Dark Road
Note: Written four months after the date of surrender and on the eve of departure for our unknow destination in Formosa
Tarlac Prison Camp, Philippines
August 9, 1942
The long dark road leads on from here,
We know not what it course may be;
We only know that we must go
And keep a date with destiny.
We've traveled far the long dark road,
By danger's side we made our bed;
The chilling breath of sudden death
Lurked right and left and overhead.
From Mount Mayon to Orion
Thru living death of O'Donnell---
From far Vigan to bleak Bataan
Thru days and nights of blazing Hell.
The road is lined with unmarked graves
Of fallen comrades, brave and true;
Beyond the skies their sleepless eyes
Are keeping watch o'er me and you.
The lamps of peace will burn again;
Some day we'll drop our weary load---
Some sweet day, we trust and pray,
At the end of the long dark road.
We know not what it course may be;
We only know that we must go
And keep a date with destiny.
We've traveled far the long dark road,
By danger's side we made our bed;
The chilling breath of sudden death
Lurked right and left and overhead.
From Mount Mayon to Orion
Thru living death of O'Donnell---
From far Vigan to bleak Bataan
Thru days and nights of blazing Hell.
The road is lined with unmarked graves
Of fallen comrades, brave and true;
Beyond the skies their sleepless eyes
Are keeping watch o'er me and you.
The lamps of peace will burn again;
Some day we'll drop our weary load---
Some sweet day, we trust and pray,
At the end of the long dark road.
copyright 1946 by William Edward Brougher
I first came across this book in a dusty footlocker that belonged to my Dad, First Lieutenant Macario T. del Rosario. He kept few memorabilias of his 33 years in the U.S. Army, and even fewer reminders of his time on Bataan and as a prisoner of war. But this is one book that he kept. I only saw him read it once, to himself, when the house was quiet and he thought he was by himself.
When my father died in 1960 the little things that must have meant so much to only him were lost or given away and, I think, this little book of poems also.
After 45 years of searching, I found a copy on eBay. It is signed by the author.
I've picked it up a few times to read one or two poems at a time - when the house is quiet, and I am alone.
