Here is steppeland. Staffordshire. Flat.
In relentless wind flags strain and crack.
A storm blows in from distant fields –
From Russia and Burma, Iceland, Iraq.

Here are no corpses. Just words and trees.
Saplings staked against the gust.
A forest will tame the biting wind
When we and the aching words are dust.

Here the wind scatters the ghosts into rags.
They seek out the tea-room, seek those who dodged death.
Round the old men with their sticks, in their wheelchairs,
The dead comrades whisper with charnel-house breath.

The National Memorial Arboretum, near Alrewas, Staffordshire.
was established around 2000 on approximately 150 acres of old
gravel workings adjacent to the  River Tame, with its official
opening on 16 May 2001. It is managed by the Royal British Legion
and is part of the National Forest. It contains over 50,000 trees,
with more being added each year.

Memorials have been established for many branches of the armed
services, civilians involved in conflicts and other organisations,
such as the police and fire service. There is also an arts centre, café
and visitor centre. Entrance is free of charge.