Remains

What happens?

A soldier recalls a story from his service time in Afganistan where he and two other soldiers were sent out to deal with a looter. They arrive to see the looter running away. They shoot him down in the street despite the fact they are uncertain he was even armed. The soldier describes the violence of his death and disrespect given to his body. The second half of the poem deals with the emotional impact of what the soldier has experienced. He talks about being unable to forget the event and how it haunts his thoughts and dreams. He uses alcohol and drugs to try and flush out the memory but he is forever traumatised by his guilt at what happened.

What is it about?

The poem deals with the brutality of war and how these experiences change soldiers. The soldiers are seen to be excessive in their actions, suggesting how the power that they have can become corrupting. However, we also see how soldiers are subjected to the most difficult experiences and the emotional effect can be devastating - PTSD.

Key Ideas:

• The title: 'Remains' - This is deliberately ambiguous; it could be relating to the physical remains of the man shot down or the remains of the memory that haunts this soldier. This is a clear reflection of the message of the poem.
• One of many: The use of in media…