Adults

The book is endorsed by the UK services charity Combat Stress, to who all proceeds from its sale are dedicated.

Written in 41 quatrains, this poem tells the story of a child whose father, a sergeant in the British army, is sent out to fight in Afghanistan. Seen entirely through the eyes of the child, the reasons for the adults’ actions are only partly understood. His (or her) home, mum, dad, family members and friends are the child’s world and the people who live in Afghanistan are shadowy figures he or she does not understand. The climax comes when the ‘big green army plane’ brings Dad home. Dad steps down off the plane with his body in one piece but his mind has not been so lucky and smiles quickly turn to tears.