You did not leave me my friend.

You did not leave me my friend.

A Poem by Coyote Poetry
"

Some scars cannot heal. We learn to live with them.

"
                  
                                   You did not leave me my friend.

Old man sat alone.
Whiskey and gin is his friend tonight.
The V.A hospital pain killers don't help.
His fate cannot be opposed.
Old war wounds given without notice is slowly killing his body.

The valor of war is broken now.
The man sees only blood and death.
He left for Vietnam.
A prophet to save a broken people.

He forfeit his dreams to swim in s**t and blood.
He raised his glass to friends left in the dirt of a lost war.
He wished he had told his friends.
Thank you for watching my back.
 He whispered "I will be joining you soon."

He sits in lonely places now.
Waiting for the slow death to finish him off.
In the blood of courage he left home in 1963.
Volunteered for war the USA said would save the world.

I sat with my friend.
I ordered a double of Jack and a pint of cold beer.
I looked at my friend. Once a 220 pound man with strength
and hope. Now barely, a 100 pound man and can barely walk.
 
He looked at me. He gave me a big Canadian smile and told me.
"You did not leave me my friend."

I hugged my old friend. I met him a few years back. Trying to drink
myself to death. He told me. "You don't know nothing. You have a chance.
Cancer ain't killing you. Wake up."

I watched him drink the Jack Daniels. He told me.
"Jack Daniels hadn't let me down yet. Pain ain't too bad. Doctors told me
soon I will be done."

My friend loved his Toronto Maple leafs. We watched many games.
I go to the downtown tavern and watch hockey alone now.
My friend died on a cold Winter day and found peace.
I hope his brothers are waiting for a fellow Soldier.

Some wars outlast the battles.
Some sickness eats at the body and soul.
My friend never complained about the pain.
He told me if he had one wish.
Would be to take the s**t of war out of his head.

I drink the Jack Daniel and drink my cold Canadian beer.
I can hear my friend.
"You did not leave me my friend".

                                Coyote
                           July 2012



© 2012 Coyote Poetry


Author's Note

Coyote Poetry
War can be a slow killer. It is sad to watch people died. Funny part. Good people can lead us to a better place after they have been in hell.

My Review

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Featured Review

This is so poignant, as is a lot of your work. It's a heartbreaking thing to watch, even for someone with no experience of what they're going through. I do love the way your poems, even when they break my heart, seem to offer a sense of hope. Thank you.

Posted 11 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

Thank you. Old Soldiers accept their ending. War catches up with the all of us.

Posted 8 Years Ago


An honorable tribute to fallen friends. I liked the short precise sentences that distinguish this work from your others.

Posted 8 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Once again hitting home Coyote. War is definitely a deal-breaker when it comes to the sanity of person, sticks with them for a lifetime. It can be reported on television and re-enacted in movies, but unless one has seen war first hand they can never understand. Love the note "Good people can us to a better place after they have been in hell." Too true brother. Thanks for sharing.

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

I totally agree with your author's note. It's a great poem, although sad.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Amazing simply amazing.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Good poem. that's deep.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

WOW - What a wonderful poem and truly sheds light on what all soldiers go through. Just hope our soldiers today will be better greeted than they were back then.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

One word. Beautiful.

Actually a few more :) This was sad and true: seeing and experiencing horrible things like that can slowing kill you from the inside. Good work

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Amazing. I can't even descide how great this is. It's heartbreaking and heart warming all at the same time. And you're right. War can be a slow killer and good people CAN lead us to better places after they've been through hell. It always seems that the people who have seemed to be hurt the most, can guide us out of our pain. They wanted to guide us so we don't have to feel pain like we did. That's what I like to think.
Very nice

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Double wow! This left an imprint in my mind and a word of prayer in my heart for all people at war! Written so well with deep feelings!

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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Shelved in 5 Libraries
Added on July 30, 2012
Last Updated on August 5, 2012
Tags: war, friendship

Author

Coyote Poetry
Coyote Poetry

MI



About
A Poet and writer who love to read and write. My pleasure is reading about the bad and good in a life. Also to honor the Poets/Writers of the past by reading their words. Remember .. more..

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