Remains Flashcards
(10 cards)
Poem summary
In Remains, a soldier recalls a traumatic memory from a war zone — when he and other soldiers shot and killed a man who “probably” was armed, but “possibly not.” At the time, it seemed routine, part of the job. But later, when the soldier returns home, the memory “remains” and starts to haunt him.
As the poem goes on, it becomes clear he is suffering from PTSD. He sees the man’s blood on the street, in his dreams, and in his mind. The violence has followed him home, and no matter what he does — even turning to drink and drugs — he can’t escape the guilt. The poem shows how the real impact of war is often emotional and long-lasting, not just physical.
Context
Written by Simon Armitage, a modern British poet.
• Part of a collection called The Not Dead, which was based on real interviews with British soldiers who fought in modern conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Explores the psychological cost of modern warfare, especially for ordinary soldiers.
• Reflects real experiences of PTSD, guilt, and trauma, which are often not talked about enough.
• Challenges the idea that war is just about physical combat — it’s also about what comes after.
“on another occasion we get sent out”
The phrase “on another occasion” shows that these violent missions are regular and repeated. It’s not a one-time event but part of ongoing warfare.
“probably armed possibly not”
Uncertainty - The soldier isn’t sure whether the person they shot was actually armed. This shows the confusion and chaos of war, where decisions have to be made quickly, sometimes without full information.
Uncertainty about innocence - The soldier questions whether the shooting was justified, which fuels his later guilt.
“myself and somebody else and somebody else”
Dehumanisation- Instead of naming the people involved, the speaker uses “somebody else”, which strips them of individuality
“i see every round as it rips through his life”
traumatic memory - The speaker is haunted by the violent moment in great detail, replaying it vividly in his mind.
The phrase “rips through his life” emphasizes not just physical injury but the destruction of a person’s entire existence — their future, family, dreams.
The graphic description shows the speaker’s deep emotional pain and guilt over taking a life.
“his blood shadow stays on the street”
Permanence - The “blood-shadow” symbolizes the permanent mark left by the killing, showing that the violent act cannot be erased or forgotten.
It’s not just a physical mark on the street but also a metaphor for the psychological trauma haunting the speaker.
“his bloody life in my bloody hands”
The repetition of “bloody” emphasizes the bloodshed and violence, highlighting how deeply the speaker feels responsible for the death.
“the drink and drugs won’t flush him out”
“he’s here in my head when i close my eyes”
physiological haunting - This line reveals how the memory of the killing constantly invades the speaker’s mind, even when he tries to escape it by closing his eyes.
It shows that the trauma is so severe, it won’t let him have peace, highlighting the long-lasting effects of war on mental health.
The phrase suggests that the speaker experiences flashbacks or nightmares, common symptoms of PTSD, emphasizing the psychological scars left by violence.
