Shadows

We can't escape the bad or the good done in a life.

 





























Shadows
 
My sister told me. "You  have changed. "
She told me. "You saw too much s**t and your mind and eyes are cold.."
 
I told her,.
"War isn't personal.
You do what you are told. Try to forget and move on"
 
 I kissed her forehead.
I told her. "War was easy.
This world falling apart around me.
I don't know what to do.?
That the crazy s**t I don't understand."
 
Up in the morning before five.
We don't need no sunshine.
 Organization, discipline, three  square meals a day.
 Old SGT. say. "It will be all OK."
 
Young boss at work asked me too many questions.
 I told  him it is not for him to understand.
 
When you stand tall at attention. Salute a M-16, boots and helmet of a dead soldier.
You join a club.
The soldiers that lived must carry on with their buddies stories and memories.
Drink a beer on the day of their friends death. Can't allow them to be forgotten.
.
 
Lying on cold ground.
 Waiting for a hidden enemies.
 You slapped your magazine to insure it is loaded right.
 You light up a cigarette and hope all things will be alright.
 
Going to Iraq with my gun.
Going to kill some Iraqi sons.
 
 Generals sent Division of soldiers.
Names don't matter.
Reaching for more stars.
 
Mama and Papa sit by the phones.
Wife and family pray for the day their soldier come home safe and sound.
 
Soldiers talk about kids and woman.
Takes up most of our time.
 
No-one talks of dying.
 Ain't no race or religion.
 Protect your friend back and he watched your back.
 
Soldier do right and wrong things.
A lucky man can walk away from  all the s**t and forget.
 
The shadow of war find you one day.
 
 I stood with  a mother of my friend killed in Iraq.
  She  held me up.
 I saluted her son's gravestone.
 
I go to the corner bar with other Veterans.
Drink to friends not here and missed.

Maybe baby sister is right.
The shadows are always with me.
 
                                   COYOTE
                        

Author's Note

Old poem. Soldiers must insure the old one's are took care of. One day we will be the old one's. Any mistakes. Please assist.

Reviews

[E.H. Monroe]

we have this vision of what happens "over there". then the folks "over there" come back here, we throw a parade and then tell em to f**k off because we have better things to do. The war against the enemy is just a war against people who were raised by different fathers and mothers, different gods and rules.
and that creeping shadow of war..s**t man i dont even know that f****r..but i know guys and gals who do, and he is a rancid drinking buddy who runs his fingers down a scar on his face and reminds you you havent seen the s**t like he has. well f**k him.
never any mistakes in a coyote piece...just reality that makes real go...damn that s**t is real.

i salute you sir

[Moonflower]

I love the tone of voice each verse, this was softly spoken and shook me to the core. Well done, this is tremendous work.

[Lily Mae]

The shadows are always with you as a reminder to you of your humanity and good heart..xx excellent write..x

[~Blue Fantasy~]

Wow, very intense....for you to carry all of that with through your life... It's hard to even say what that must have been like to watch you friend die in front of you. You are brave and strong and to have to stand by the mother of your friend. Wow, tough. Again thank you for all you have done for our American freedom. it's people like you and your friends who make it possible for us to live safely here in America! Thank You!!

[The Analog Kid]

Very poignant write Coyote. "Going to Iraq with my gun.
Going to kill some Iraqi sons." A man never forgets. I can't even imagine.

[Thea]

This made me think of being a CAT officer at school...I salute you, Coyote...Being a soldier seems to be a really great honor...Maybe, I haven't experienced being one but as far as we had at school, it looks totally difficult being a soldier...
This is a wonderful poem...Excellent job... :)))

[G. Marie"floating on an..]

Salute to all the soldiers who have fought for our country...... including my late father my older brother who was in Vietnam. i said the same thing about my brother he changed after two years in Nam..... who wouldn't I think he see's those same shadows you do.......To all the soldiers..... we appreciate you. Your poem pulled at my heartstrings.... a few grammar errors and spelling but the feeling of the poem is well understood..... Love your poems they always transend such strong emotions.....

[Muse]

No-one talks of dying.
Ain't no race or religion.
Protect your friend back and he watched your back.
When fighting on the same side.....we all must look and feel the same.
A lucky man can walk away from all the s**t and forget.
To forget? Is that considered lucky? Sad but probably true.

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

This poem really hits home. It's strange to tell the people who know you best that there are things they dont need to know. We've lost friends to wars...and we've lost friends who never survived the memories after they were home.

[Amila Jay]

wow, a very sensitive poem, amazing write:)

[Blessed_Angel]

good job keep up the good work. I want to see more form you :) this touched my heart.