Colin Ian Jeffery (20th May 1942 / Caterham)

Iraq and Afghanistan)


Far from home
The soldier fights an enemy
Hiding in civilian dress
In sweltering lands of desert people
Camels, palm trees, figs and bustling street markets
Fearing the next suicide bomber.

There is no glory only death there
Snipers waiting on rooftops
Landmines buried on lonely sandy roads
Exploding under passing army vehicles
And terrors playing cruel mind games
Breaking the mind asunder.

The soldier's six months tour of duty
Policing to prevent bloodshed
Going out on patrol to keep the peace
On crowded streets of hate
Where Muslim murders Muslin
As they try to create Civil War.

There is a promise by the soldier
Made to his weeping mother
Whispered in a farewell embrace
Before travelling to a desert land
Which might never be kept, not even for her
That he will not return home in a coffin