We vow to shield but splatter
the soldiers in Afghan
with pretty propaganda
about what we need of man
to even out democracy
without arguments but arms
and use placebo platitudes.
a fooling no-one charm.

Signing up at sixteen
had always been his dream
he could have been
he would have been
a grown man in time.

At eighteen with his maker
and not his loving mother;
his foot patrol got broken
by an IED explosion.
By mum the proud formation of
the William Aldridge foundation
for the wounded of all battalions
and his name won't be forgotten.

Signing up at sixteen
had always been his dream
he could have been
he would have been
a grown man in time.

Mrs A we thank you
for the helping that you do,
but it shouldn't be your duty
to tackle inequality
and fix a derogatory offer
that the government did proffer
to The Rifles in Sangin
and the brothers of your son.