The naming of the dead*

I do not know them,
these whose sweat and blood
congeal on foreign soil.
Their names, as strangers,
assault the local tongue,
falling, misspoken,
if spoken at all.
Friends and enemies,
mingled paths their misfortunate destiny,
tangled together by vaguery.
I do not know them,
their names fill no lines
in my address book,
their phone numbers
share no history with me.
But I will name them;
every mother’s son,
every missing father,
every soul
upon its new adventure.
I will name them,
proclaim them,
claim back their pride
for all are hero
foreign soil or no
who jeopardise themselves
for me.

*I took the title from the title of a book by Ian Rankin, its content has no other connection.  I have placed it on the blog before but wanted to recognise remembrance on the 11th of 11th again and have posted it a little early.  Wanted to add David R Morgan's kind comment too:

David Morgan

Keith you're on a roll. This is very good old friend and carries your very own honest, authentic voice.