As we continue to suffer the loss of more servicemen in Afghanistan, it is important to remember that for every man killed, there will have been several more injured and a greater number still who are traumatised by these events but are required to soldier on and get the job done. I was thinking about these men and how they might feel and this is what I wrote - trying to put myself in their boots, I know that in reality I don't have a clue what they feel, but I try.

What is pain?
Pain is, knowing you'll never see a mate again
His bones will be buried and you won't be there
For Queen and Country he gave his all
It's over for him
No more guard duties
No more ration packs
No more anything
Nothing at all
Except his name on a memorial wall
On November 11th we'll all stand
with eyes to the ground
trying to forget those awful sounds
and wishing that he was still around
We will remember him
RIP mate.