Our Boys by Charlie Hill

Ours is a state of eternal war,

where stiff-backed men parade

and slouchers sit at desks

tapping out tattoos.

 

There’s a Veteran’s Badge

for all who fight, but some

are also pressed for good,

behind less cynical bars.

 

This is for those heroes, Our Boys

who’ve sacrificed their truths

for us – a roll call of the other brave

that should be tapped out too:

 

Michael Lyons, Royal Navy;

Ben Griffin, SAS;

Joe Glenton, Royal Logistics Corps;

Malcolm Kendall-Smith,

of the RAF.

..

Charlie Hill is the author of two critically acclaimed novels and numerous short stories. He has just started writing poems, one or two of which have appeared in Ink, Sweat and Tears.