My father's mind

Memories.

                          My father's mind

If you live by the gun, you will die by the gun. Do corpses talk? My father asked me a few time when the rum was aplenty.

Who will be left? When the soldier come home and there is no-one to kill. My father killed many in Vietnam and the Korean war. The whiskey and the rum couldn't stop the images left of the dead men he killed. 

He told me. The corpses cannot talk but his friends left behind. They sit with me late into the night and we drink. 

He told me when I was young. Son, I awoke in Korea war in 1952 and the China soldier cut my friend throat and he left me alive. I learn, death was always near. They could kill me at-will and I didn't sleep right for six months. Son, I ain't right and I am sorry.

Today war is alive and well. Where are the peace-makers? What are the children seeing? What are the children learning? What are we teaching our children?

My father is with his friends. At the soldier table now and I followed his path. I remember when I was leaving for war. I saw tears in my father's eyes. I hope one day to join my father at the Soldier table. Hear his laughter again.

Coyote.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Shelley Warner]

Oh my goodness, Coyote, that was beautiful and deeply touching. Loved the song and love that genre of music. I liked the part about your father joining his soldier friends and that you expect to one day. I'm glad you survived war. When I was 15, I met a boy named Harvey. He came from a troubled family and eventually left to join the army. He was killed in Viet Nam. He was 19. I was 17. I'll post something about that sometime.

[Coyote Poetry]

Many young men were killed in Vietnam. I hope you remember your friend with words. Sometime dear Shelley. This is all we can do. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Shelley Warner]

You are welcome Coyote.

[barleygirl]

Strong, vivid writing. Thanks for sharing from deep within your heart (((HUGS)))

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Margie. I appreciate the comment my dear friend.

[Ruth]

So emotive dear Coyote - memories are bittersweet in some ways but nevertheless they warm our hearts when needed - this really is a moving share, be well my friend :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Ruth. No-one win in war my dear friend.

[Shelley Warner]

I just checked and I do have a story posted called Give Peace a Chance.

[Chris Shaw]

War has always been alive and well. Violence begets violence, so the circle goes on and on. So many soldiers left broken by war. My husband's father would never talk about his stint in the army during the war. He lost a brother,
killed in action. He would never speak about that either. War just breaks the human spirit, leaves the soul crushed. Most, never find healing. They learn to live with it, or bail out. Hard hitting words Coyote, particularly relevant at the present time.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Chris and thank you for reading. No-one wins in war my dear friend.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest John... my uncles were soldiers in Korea... and they were Sad. but alive;
however, never happy like before. I was an only child. however, in my adult life
I have nursed three Lovers back to a better life and balance.... one at a time.
God will be my Judge. And now we will need more compassion than ever.
Thank you for your Service. We appreciate all our Soldiers from the depth of our Heart.
tenderly, Pat

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Pat. A woman's heart can save a man.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear John... we will all be helping to "Save" each other in so many ways.... sometimes just a smile or a few words. Men can do the same for a Woman. That is the Secret to Love... I believe. truly, Pat