A witness to life

We must remember friends and family missed. I believe. When we speak or write about them. We bring them back to our hearts and our minds.

                    A witness to life


 
 I didn't like the military holidays. Brought back memories I was trying to forget.
A old Vietnam Veteran  told me. I know you feel the guilt. All of us know the emotion. We feel responsible for good friends not returning home. Some things cannot be changed. You are a witness to a life and you must keep his memory alive and strong.




I stood with two Veterans. A Vietnam Vet and Korean Vet. The graveyard near had the flags standing tall each with the faces of Michigan Soldiers who did not come home. They recognized the sadness in my face. We stood in silence and the Vietnam Vet spoke. We must remember our brothers. Ensure their kids know. They had a good father and we must be the living witness for life for them. We  must stand tall and honor their memory.

I went to my friends grave. I sat with the wildflower near in the silence of the graveyard. I drank one of the Budlights. Left five full cans on my friends grave. I saluted his grave. I told him. I miss your laughter, little Beulah is so big and you are a Grandpa now. The boy looked like you. Thank you my friend for your friendship. I will catch-up one day. We  will gather with the old Soldiers and laugh at the foolishness of youth. I guess the old man was right. We are all "A witness to life".
                              Coyote/John Castellenas

Author's Note

A new poem. I hope you like.

Reviews

[M.A.Rathore]

Though the last part of this piece ends with happiness yet the irony entertains me. Soldires are happy guys. At their life's stake they remain in joyful mood...Nice reading with old memories...Here quoting last part that I enjoyed much..

I went to my friends grave.
I sat with the wildflower
near in the silence of the graveyard.
I drank one of the Budlights.
Left five full cans on my friends grave.
I saluted his grave.
I told him. I miss your laughter,
little Beulah is so big
and you are a Grandpa now. The boy looked like you. Thank you my friend for your friendship.
I will catch-up one day.
We will gather with the old Soldiers and laugh at the foolishness of youth.
I guess the old man was right.
We are all "A witness to life".

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you reading and the comment. I wish for peace and mourn for war.

[♔ CrownedDevil &#..]

Wow, very beautifully written. :-)

[Coyote Poetry]

Real life create powerful poetry. Thank you Kaze for reading and the comment.

[♔ CrownedDevil ☾]

So very true. And your welcome. :-))

[MsJewel]

I know loss like this and my heart breaks for you. I hope you find comfort in writing. I know it helps me. Your poem is heartfelt and lovely.

:) Julie

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Julie. Regret of war did catch me. Funeral of friends taught me. War leave no winners.

[Lyn Anderson]

This is beautiful, as always. Your writes shine truth and emotion.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you fear friend for reading and the comment.

[Traci]

A deep emotional write. In life and death we are a witness to life. Memories are kept alive through writes like this Well done, John.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Traci. War leave wounds on the poor family and friends left behind.

[Pryde Foltz]

The tragedy of lives not lived is no small tragedy. Another fine write, Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Pryde. I agree.

[Sheila Kline]

How very true my friend........"lest we never forget them" for their service, for their loyalty, for their sacrifice, for our continued freedom!
Excellent write with images to accentuate your message in a very powerful way!!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sheila. I appreciate the the comment. We must the good people alive in our thoughts.

[June Fowler]

Dear friend, I know how it feels when u loose a comrade, with whom u have spent good times and bad, hard times and pleasant times, the fun laughter and the fear of death, it makes u more than friends, say like family, and to loose one of ur own does make a difference, we may not show it much but deep within the loss of a fellow veteran does effect the others in the troupe. L have lost a couple of friends too, in the army.

[Coyote Poetry]

Hard to lose friends. War takes the best from us. Thank you June for reading. We must keep our friends alive in words and in heart.

[June Fowler]

VeryTrue!.

[j.l. luna]

much love to you and the ones you've lost. xx

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words.

[Baby Ricochet]

You never forget and you never "get over it." You learn to cope with the memories one day, sometimes one minute at a time. I don't think "closure" is possible either. Closure implies some kind of peace or forgiveness and there's some s**t I can't do that with. I'm not to big on visiting graves either. I feel a creepy combination of anger and a straight to the core of my soul sadness like I'll never shake when it's on me. An unbelievable, unjust waste no one had to answer for. It's like a f*****g pterodactyl in my chest trying to get out and I don't think it'll ever change. It's the major reason I hate Republicans so much. It was their f*****g idea and they still have the nerve to justify it. It just kills me

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. Soldier become good friends. Raised our families together. A bond learn and never forgotten. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.