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Best Poems Written by Tom Murray

Below are the all-time best Tom Murray poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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I'M Coming Home

As I wave goodbye and walk away the kisses and cuddles from my loved ones still fresh in my mind I set my sights on what will be my new daily grind.  To Afghanistan I flew  to fight for my country, I’m  with my brothers,  never alone,  a promise made to my family.  I’m coming home.
 
Day in day out protecting the base, going on patrol our sole aim, avoiding deaths ugly face.    Living in conditions that are a right state whilst civvies whinge with hate “you joined up so why do you moan”?  I don’t care but if they think they can do better they are welcome to take my place, if they dare. I only know.  I’m coming home.
 
Taking fire,  it’s all go now need to get across this streambed then, “ pow”,  feels like I’ve been punched like a boxer in the final round.  All I can hear now is “man down, man down” will  this be my last sound?  I can see the medics and my mates working on me till I breathe my last as I’m carried from the field under the rotors hurricane blast, it’s finally got through my dome……. I’m coming home.
Now they are all gathered round, family crying, mates recalling the best of  times, the only sound, I’m carried in my union flag draped coffin on my final journey and laid in the ground, no more crying no more sound….. I’m home.

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A Soldiers Letter From Heaven

 


HI ALL ITSBEEN A WHILE IVE NOT BEEN AROUND SINCE THE LAST TIME I WAS AROUND THAT DAY I WAS LOWERED INTO THE GROUND.I’M GETTING SETTLED IN THE ONLY PROBLEM IT’S A BIT BORING FOR A SQUADDIE HERE THERE AINT NO FAGS AND CERTAINLY NO BEER.THE SAD THING IS THERE ARE MORE AND MORE OF US NOW WE ALL GET TO HANG OUT TOGETHER DOESN’T MATTER WHAT RANK WE WERE WE ALL GET TREATED LIKE ONE OF THE MOW.

ITS AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN SEE FROM UP HERE I EVEN WATCHED ALL MY MATES IN THE MESS TOASTING MY FAREWELL WITH CANS OF BEER, MUST ADMIT IT MADE ME SHED A TEAR.  DONT WORRY ABOUT ME I HAVE GOOD MATES UP HERE, THERES GORDON, BARRY, JOHN, WALTER SAM, ROBERT, SAV AND GUS THEY ALL SEND THEIR BEST WISHES, SO DONT WORRY ABOUT ANY OF US 

MISSING YOU ALL BUT THE BONUS IS I GET TO SEE YOU ALL EVERY DAY, I LOVE TO SEE YOU ALL MESSING ABOUT AND IT’S STILL FUNNY WHEN MUM SINGS.  HAVE TO GO FOR NOW IM KEEPING AN EYE  ON A WEE SQUADDIE  IN THE GHAN, JUST REMEMBER IM YOUR GAURDIAN ANGEL UP HERE JUST MINUS THE WINGS AND I WILL LOOK AFTER YOU AND MY BOTHERS IN ARMS  THE BEST I CAN

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Freedom


Freedom, it’s something that we all seem to take for granted but for some folk it’s something they have only ever wanted.   It’s a thing that’s always used and abused, and the people that protest forget why they have the freedom to protest, that always leaves me mildly amused.
 
Freedom is something that is never ever free, it comes at a very high price and to prove that  the world had to go to war not once but twice.   Millions had to die in the so called war to end all wars, in World War 2 soldiers would be subjected to many new horrors.  
 
 
So what price freedom and freedom of speech we all know the power of words has an amazing  reach. Tell me this how do you think these precious rights are won?  The reality is thatdiplomacy is fine but it’s usually backed by boots on the ground holding a gun.
 
It’s not that we all want to be treated like heroes but at the same time we don’t want to be treated like dirt by a bunch of zeros. Take time out to think how and why, its for your freedom, rights and lives that a soldier a sailor an airman may have to die....

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Burial Detail

This is the third time I’ve done it this year to be honest I feel a pride in being picked to do it but the very thought brings forward a tear.

Dress uniform ironed and ready, creases sharp as a knife brasses gleaming cap badge straight its time to commemorate not a death but a soldier’s life

The family, friends and fellow soldiers gather to honour a soldier who has died there has been much reflection and many have cried.

The flag draped coffin, headdress and medals carried by 6 fellow soldiers all in step with military precision, a lone warrior killed,  because of a politicians decision.

The sharp crack of the rifles salute, the last post plays then the coffin is lowered into the ground to the bagpipes haunting sound 

As I march off this is when eyes fill and lips starts to quiver a solemn promise in the eyes of all present that this warrior will be remembered forever

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Dear Mum

Hi mum made back safe to sunny  afghan,  R&R was great, just getting my kit together no need to be sad, oh can you say hi to dad.

 
Hi mum just waiting to go up to the Forward Operating Base can’t wait to finally get out of this place

 
Hi mum got your parcel today shared the sweets with the guys loved the photos, brought a tear to my eyes.

 
Hi mum just got woke up again shots fired by the Taliban spent most of the day stood to with my mate wee Dan

 
Hi mum it’s me the pest just back from a long patrol just thought I would drop you a wee message before I head for a rest

 
Hi mum I’m feeling down and sad one of the boys was killed today he will be missed he was a great lad.

 
Hi mum off out on a long patrol so will be out of contact for a few days don’t worry it’s an easy one the sergeant says
 

Dear mum this is the medic by now you will know your son has passed on a few days ago just after seven,  his last words to me were tell mum and dad not to feel sad I will see them again in heaven.

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The Unknown Warrior

Chosen by a brigadier from a group of your
 fellow fallen,  the ceremony poignant but solemn
To be interred in the abbey of Westminster 
amongst the famous, the knights, poets kings, 
a prime minster.
 
 
Laid to rest as the unknown warrior in a coffin of 
Hampton Court palace Oak decorated with a 
kings sword and a shield your body returned to 
your homeland from a muddy battlefield.
 
 
Your body flanked by 100 warriors  bearers of our 
highest honour for valour , as your coffin is 
interred the focal point of a nations thanks to 
those who lost their life in service of their 
country inferred.

 
Decorated by bouquets and wreaths laid by more than 
one royal, to your memory they remain ever 
loyal.  We will never forget the sacrifice of every soldier by paying respects to 
one who shall
 never grow older.
 
The Unknown Warrior

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Man Down Man Down

A sudden flash! A crack of sound! A punch like a heavyweight, and I’m on the ground, I can hear them shouting “MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN!” Pressure on my chest, can’t breathe, it feels like I am going to drown, Feel a tug at my gear and see their lips move, but why can’t I hear?

I see the worry on their face, am I just another victim, of this damn place? My brothers they all gather round, as I lay here slumped on the Afghan ground, I now feel nothing, and I hear no more sound, Is this the way it’s meant to be? That bullet was definitely meant for ME!

The medic, God bless her, looks distraught, with tears in her eyes, she gives me a shot. She’s worldly wise beyond her years, but I can see behind her tears. Through bloodshot eyes I can see him there, my brother in arms, I hear him swear, He’s my best mate, a friend and brother, we swore long ago, to look after each other.

As he clasped me close, both covered in mud, we once shared everything, and now, My Blood! Many years ago, we promised each other, whoever went first; we would visit their mother, It must be my turn as the lights seem to dim, thank you dear lord, that bullet missed him, As I lay in his arms feeling chilled to the bone, he leaned close and whispered, “Sleep well now good buddy, you’re now 
GOING HOME!”

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Amnesia

I would love to wake up with amnesia and forget about the images I took away from that dark place, I hate the look of fear on your pretty face

I would love to wake up with amnesia and forget about all the commotion going on inside my head,  I hope one morning I may never rise from my bed

I  would love to wake up with amnesia and forget the pain and suffering caused by wars machine, but no its another morning soaked  in a sweaty sheen.

I would love to wake up with amnesia and forget how a mate stronger than me took to suicide; I hope we can finally get together on the other side.

I would love to wake up with amnesia and forget, well perhaps no, because then I would never remember how much I love you so