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 Okay.
I know I must forgive myself.

He turned and looked me in the eyes.
He whispered. "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 looked 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

Author's Note

Some stories reappear. This is a real story. War leave no winners. Just living casualty of what was done and must be learned to live with.

Reviews

[Cryingkate]

I vision the day, when two armies go to battle on the ground.
They drop their weapons and, mix themselves and be seated on the ground.
Anything they send from overhead to punish them all can only be done so many times.

Somewhere in the depth of man we finally say ENOUGH. When we finally see we serve each other and not divided nations,Man must come forth to man and not under a false umbrella of rule.

When we know our true strength and awake. There will be peace on earth.

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope one day we can find peace. Soldiers, poor people in the way of war pay the price. The great cities of Asia and Africa are being destroyed. Millions are homeless. My wish for Christmas is we learn to send food, water and medicine. Begin the world healing.

[Cryingkate]

I heard that was done, however certain ones put up blocks barricades and cut off roads so it couldn't get through.

[David W Moore III]

Quite moving. Well written. One more reason the people of this country need to make their voices heard. I think if everyone heard stories like this, then they wouldn't be so quick to say, "Save the oilfields!"

[Lovely Lady]

I could get lost in your stories and live there forever.... you have a powerful pen... coming from a powerful mind and heart of a man. "When we fight evil with evil; evil still wins." ~Deepak Chopra.... But when we open our hearts love heals all! I love your heart!

~♥~

[The Water Queen]

war can change a man for the better or for the worse. Sometimes I wish that my fiance was nota soldier but then I realize what he will be doing for my country. It may be hard but it is a choice that some will make and some will take with them to their graves. Great story.

[Mark]

I like this one.

[Tate Morgan]

The saddest of tales are often soldiers tales

[B MacGregor]

Healer, it is you.

An appreciation for compassion through the wages of war.

It carries us, all of us.

[Bubo]

I told him. "We have been lies 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."

You have told such a compassionate story, with beauty, and such a realistic one too, I felt such sadness for the truth in it, the number of men that must feel this way and cannot move on, your words are magic, showing the hand of friendship can heal many wounds.

[Amy Bumpas]

In this line: I looks at his sad eyes. I told him.
(should be look)
In this line:"I'm Ok.
I know I must forgive myself.
(you need a " after myself)

This is a great story about friendship and facing
yourselfn through the hardships of life.
Some go at it alone, and never get over it.
Sometimes, we forget the ones that served and
and the pain and depression they go through.
I appreciate you sharing this with me, and seeing things
through your eyes. I don't know if I would have filled a friend
with alcohol, but you being there seemed to do the trick.
He didn't feel alone anymore, and felt someone cared.

[Broken Girl]

Thank you for sharing!!!

[Wildfleour]

Sigh...............you done did good, my friend. Not all are victories, when we reach out, but some are. And that's what matters.