I understand why we protect the wildflowers now.

Wildflowers are protected in Michigan. Took me years to understand why.

                 I understand why we protect the wildflowers now.

I sit on the hill in the midst of a wildflower field.
Small flowers moving in the gentle breeze.

I sit at bay from a good friend grave.
I came to tell him that, I was alright.

His death broke me down.
I stayed home and he went to war alone.

We were comrades in many battles for 12 years.
Raised our children together.
He joined the National Guard and I was tire of war.

The howling storm of war.
Took my friend on three tours in Iraq.
A roll-over in Iraq took a father of two beautiful girl .
On the final journey.

I hear the leader's telling me.
God is on our side.
This war is worth the blood of our men and woman.

I lay with the wildflowers.
Allowing them to take me to a better place.
I see my friend face. I remember his smile and can hear his laughter
when I close my eyes.

I know what he would tell me.
"What done is done. Take care of my babies and don't cry for me.
I died for love, freedom and the untried. War is hell. Don't let my
children forget how much I loved them."

My friend loved the country.
He lived in a small town who cried a thousand tears for him at his funeral.
Now his grave is decorated with a bronze star and fresh flowers from his daughter.

I planted wildflowers seeds around his grave.
Drank two miller's beer and left four for him.
I whispered to the wind. "Please take care of a good Soldier and friend."

The wildflowers are dancing in the breeze.
I looked at the wildflowers, free and uncontrolled. I think it is good to be like a wildflower.
Never be locked in or  forgotten.
I understand now why we protect the wildflowers.

I salute my friend's grave.
Do a silence prayer and whisper.
"I will insure you will not be forgotten."

                            Coyote
                     John Castellenas
                       2013


 

Author's Note

Any errors. Never too old to learn. Please assist.

Reviews

[That_Girl]

Needs an edit for punctuation mainly. A few spots where periods should be commas, singular words should be plural, etc. etc. If you'd like them all pointed out, I can message you.

I love the poem overall, it's filled with grief and despair but also optimism and acceptance. Well done, Coyote!

[Coyote Poetry]

I would appreciate the help. Hard for me to edit with great skill.

[quinfinn]

this is a stunning piece of prose. i am humbled and in awe of the scope of feelings and the depth you reach within this fabulous write. editors can clean this up quickly and make it the true work of art which it is. John, this is fantastic poetry!

[anne p. murray- LadeeAn..]

Such a beautiful heartfelt story of magnanimous devotion and brotherly love. So heart touching and so wonderfully expressed.

[MOON]

Like the wildflowers guess we all need protection, sometimes even from ourselves. Poignant write great tribute.

[Quill~]

To read the story that you experienced has given me a new appreciation for life. Mother nature has a way of healing our souls and comforting our pain. This is an amazing write.

[Valentine]

A sad but lovly write in honor of your friend..there are a couple of typos but not bad enough to mess up the poem..I was DOA when I lost my baby..I saw Heaven and all over the hills were wild flowers and the air was like sweet perfume.. War is hard on those families that lose someone and also on the wounded that come back not completely whole..world peace would be so wonderful..Kathie

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you sweet lady for your comment. To lose a child must be the hardest emotion of a life. My father talks of a child lost to sickness at his death bed. Love is life. Without love we would be empty. The things we didn't do. Break our heart in the end.

[Valentine]

Also the things we wish we would have done..and were to much of a coward to do them..Kathie

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

That is quite a touching story... I am all for protecting any part of nature for without it the world would lose true beauty.

[KurKota]

A very nice memorial to your friend. Very poignant......He had a good friend in you.

[rnuff]

Wow, such an amazing story Coyote, heart touching and such strife.
love the last paragraph. i'm not quite sure but don't you mean Friend's grave
instead of friend grave...alot of heart and soul in this write.

[Kenneth The Poet]

An excellent write. The truth is spoken well here.