What have we done?

Just words

                               What have we done?






I was raised with the Vietnam war alive and well. I joined at 17 years old in 1975.  I wanted to be like my father who fought in two wars.
--
                          My father
Dear father drank a bottle a rum for 40 years.
He was trying to erase the Korean and Vietnam war from his memory.
He could not.
I remember him at the midnight hours talking to dead friends left in the Korean dirt.
His war became my war.
I wanted to be like my father.
I found war and I learn too late.
War is s**t and no-one can win.
---
I volunteered for five active war area. Most times I was serving food and water to homeless and desperate people. The medics and the Doctors were the heroes. Sleepless days and nights saving and preserving life. I learn from Africa and Asia. My worst day here in Michigan. Would be a wonderful day for a person with no shelter or food.

---
                  Soldier
Just men.
Kids transferred to men by the field of fire.
Young men learning to protect and kill when they should be in college and enjoying their life.
No racism in war.
Soldiers stand tall together. Will fight together and they will protect their brother soldier.
Old soldiers know.
Wars are never won. Just testing ground for rich men in business.
Just men.
Learning the blood song too soon.
---
I'm old now. Active wars are alive and well.  The wars are quiet now. Soldiers are in 40 dangerous places. Media keep the Government silence. I stood at the bus stop yesterday. Little girl asked me about my Saint Christopher medal. I told her. Saint Christopher is the Soldier protector. She smiled proudly and she told me. "I will buy one for my brother. He is serving in Afghanistan. He would like the medal. I held silence and I prayed. Please god of life and death. Bring this boy home safely.

                                John Castellenas/Coyote


 

                           

Author's Note

Just words.

Reviews

[Nicole Laszlo]

Just words? You know, I served briefly. Didn't get the honor/terror of going over seas, I know a lot of young soldiers who complain about not being able to see combat. I know a few who have and truly wish that they hadn't. The optimism of so many young men and women who go off to fight. A dear friend of mine served in Kuwait. This hit home from a bystander's perspective. You definitely gave me chills. Amazing job.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Nicole. Most anti-war people were people who knew war or saw war. WW2 veterans, I never heard one call this war. "The good war".

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, kids transferred to me...so true.
and i hope her brother stays safe...war will never solve anything...we have had enough of them and have never yet learned that lesson...

nicely done, Coyote...
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right my friend. I pray for peace daily.

[Ken Simm.]

I have never been in a war but I understand that it takes such as you to fully appreciate, (right word?) the wrongness of it. This obviously came from deep within and for that alone I could commend you. But there is so much more here. We who don't truly understand must hang our heads.

[Coyote Poetry]

War is cold and heartless. The people in the middle of war. Pay for the hate of the countries fighting for oil and land. Thank you Ken for reading an the comment.

[Shabeeh Haider]

Just words but so true and heart felt.
True lines:
Wars are never won. Just testing ground for rich men in business."

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Shabeeh. When will man learn. No-one can win in war. War kill the young and destroy the economies of countries involved.

[Dhaye]

True about a soldier. We should pray for our love ones who are serving the country and people.
Great lines.

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm tire of war my friend. Thank you for reading and the comment.