Afghan Glory

A poem by John Nesbitt © 22.11.2013 I was eighteen years old and wanting to fight I found what I looked for, in bars late at night I took on the big guys, the small ones as well They were all tough, as far as I could tell - As a jobless young man, proud of my country I joined up with the army and trained how not to be They told me I’d fight to keep us all free So that we’d never have to bend the knee They trained me in weapons, unarmed combat too The use of explosives and what they could do And how to take cover behind rocks and trees They taught me to find bombs and those I E D’s - So step up to the plate boys, start waving the flag We’ll be all draped with medals when it’s all in the bag Think of the glory, this conflict will bring A few months away, then we can all sing - On my very first mission, I was told to unwind I took lead position, when searching for mines The blast threw me up twenty feet in the air I couldn’t feel my feet for they were no longer there My right arm was shattered my left fingers gone I once had two ears but now only one I thought I was dying, I couldn’t hear a thing I wasn’t thinking of the medals or being dressed up with bling - Now all I can do is sit here on the floor and wonder what it all had been for my comrades call around from time to time I can see their discomfort when they’re thinking of mine They wouldn’t trade places, no matter what for They each have their memories, of that terrible war My fighting days over, no more blood and guts So I’ll settle right down in my terrible rut - I stepped up to the plate boys and I waved the flag But I’m not draped in medals and it’s not in the bag I thought of the glory the conflict would bring No legs, no fingers and in no mood to sing - Things soon will be over in Afghanistan Talks are on-going with the Taliban We struggled against them for thirteen hard years But all we produced was billions of tears Fathers lost sons and Mothers lost child business got rich, there were deals on the side Where’s the next country they’ll start a new war Persia? Korea? Let’s hope….. it’s…. not ….yours