Mercy

A sad poem. We need more friends. More kindness.

                        Mercy

Young black man.
22 year old.
He sat alone and ate alone in the mess hall for many days.
I watched him and wondered why?

I knew great pain and understood his face and eyes.

I started to sit with him.
He said nothing for many meals.
Other Soldiers said he was crazy.

One morning at breakfast.
He looked at my eyes direct.
He told me.
"Some of the poor men were still alive at Death valley. They were still breathing.
Pieces of bodies speaking in a foreign language. I held so many of them. All I could do is listen."

His eyes filled with tears. He asked me.
"Was there any purpose for this war?"

I looked at his sad eyes. I told him.
"You did all you could. Mercy of someone hearing your last words allow the poor men to move to the next place with the vision a kind heart. Not the bloody s**t of war."

He got very quiet for a time. He whispered.
"All I see is death and blood in my dreams. I can't see any good in my life now. What can I do?'"

 I took him to Virginia beach. Not many people in the late months of winter.
I made him drink many long Island ice teas.
We drank till we could barely see anymore.

We wandered down to the Virginia shoreline.
He watched the Atlantic dance on the shore.

He turned to me. Asked me? "What the f**k are you trying to do to me?
Why don't you leave me alone?

I passed the whiskey to him.
I told him. "We have been lied to. No-body care if people live or die. We were just mercenaries for money and oil. Let's scream to the Gods. Lets scream into the wind. Tell the world to f-off. Then maybe we can find the mercy to forgive ourselves."

He gave me a big smile. Told me. "You are damn crazy."

He stood up and started to run down the ghostly night beach.
Screaming and crying.
He ran into the sea.
Yelling 'kill me, end my bloody life."

I swear I saw someone with him.
I tossed my wallet to the sand.
I went into the cold sea to get him.
He was waiting for me.

I wrapped my arms around him.
He smiles and told me. "I'm Ok.
I know I must forgive myself.

He turns and looks me in the eyes.
He whispers. "Thank you for the mercy of your friendship. No-one came when I was alone and afraid. I prayed for forgiveness. You forced me to face my life."

He looks at the morning sun rising from the east. Told me. "I'm done with the Army. I won't touch a gun or hurt another person."

A month later at the Greyhound bus station he was going home. I went to shake his hand. He grabbed me and gave me a bear hug. Kissed my forehead. He told me.
"Mama will heal me with her love. Baby sister will insure I'm alright. And I remember your face and what you gave me.  You gave mercy to a man in need."

                Coyote

Reviews

[ice]

Mercy, this is good..

*"...Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress."

Heart, Face, Form, dress...

* William Blake knew your kind, and he wrote about it.

He knew your kind would always be around, and knew you would write
well about the lack of "mercy, pity, peace, and love" and do something about it in your life.

Sad, but ended well
enjoyed
ice

[JulieÉmile]

This is very true. War is indeed pointless. The story you have told and countless other such stories are a reflection of that.

War is enough to turn living, breathing human beings into cold, lifeless, empty shells. That's what could have happened to the young man in the earlier part of your story. Only a powerful emotion such as mercy could breathe life in such an individual.

Very good writing. Leaves a warm feeling inside the heart after reading this. Thank you for sharing.

[David Scott]

Kindness... The ability to put yourself in another's shoes.
The ability to do something stupid because someone else needs it.
Choosing the hard path when the easy path will cast too much.
Touching another and willing to be touched in return.
I loved the openness of the story Coyote.
The grammar again is in your dialect, but I enjoy the authentic feel of it.

[Sam Ingram]

This is a very powerful poem. Very good job.

[chandlerl]

Strong, intense and real. AND really well written.
=)

[Barrie.Joy]

I knew great pain and understood his face and eyes. -- yes it is told that the eyes are the windows to the soul.

this poem is very heart-wrenching, speaking volumes of the sad, ugliness of war, amazing insight, "Mercy: does indeed have a human heart" -- wise words. this is a simply stunning piece, you have written here. thanks for sharing, Coyote :)

[kesy]

wow this one is amazing, very touching write

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the many kind comments. I do appreciate. Good to write of life and hope. Allowed us to look back and see we were brave and fearless once.

[Elisa Laura]

You can bring out the little boy's heart out of war, but the war out of the mature male's grown heart? this is so poignant.... dear friend, you have captured a real pure story really well from back of the days, as if I watched the tour of Duty.... every detail knocks on my frontdoor, to be heard. Wonderful work sir. I do love your poetry.

E.L.

[Coyote Poetry]

I was a loner till I rejoin the Army. I learn we needed life and friendship to enjoy a complete life. Life is give and take. A wise person have a open heart and mind.

[Elisa Laura]

So so true... we need more of real friendship, and those who see love through problems, hurt, and embrace it, without proud.... thank you my friend, such a good vibe here...

[spiritwind]

I am totally stunned at what you did here.
This is beyond powerful.
Makes my heart ache.
I've no desire to talk points about poetry and rhythm and whatnot.
Really don't want to discuss what you have said here--would rather go sit down and be still and look out the window.

[Alice Locke]

This is so good. I've always thought about absolute pointlessness of war, you helped me get this feeling into focus.

[Sasha Moser]

very touching.