Afghan Patrol Poem by Damon K Godfrey

Helmet, pooches, rifle,
Ready for patrol,
Long days in this heat,
Is not good for the soul.

Are the Taliban waiting,
To take another shot,
Or will they plant a dirty bomb,
And blow the bloody lot.

Shouting, screaming! In such pain,
Where are all my mates,
Please don't leave me all alone,
I'm bleeding, I'm scared, Is it too late?

Quick-Clot, tighten tourniquet,
Morphine in the thigh,
Hang on in there Buddy,
You are not going to die.

9 liner on the radio,
Chinook in the sky,
Thank you to the MERT heroes,
The speed in which they fly.

Thump, thump, thump!
50 Cal, watch my tracer fall,
Enemy engaged and neutralised,
Time to make that call.

Rotors turning overhead,
Racing through the sky,
Hang in there, you'll be OK mate!
I heard my Fire-team cry.

The Golden-Hour saved me,
Of that I can be sure,
Thanks to my mates, the medics and pilots,
Who brought me my best cure.

Rehab wasn't easy,
But nothing worth it is,
I now have legs and strength again
Enjoying all the fizz.

Goodbye Afghanistan,
I hope you find your peace,
We left you schools, education,
And we trained your Army and Police.