The Lover, A Soldier prayer.

Soldier goes off to War. Need kind and sweet memories to keep them human.

                     The Lover (A soldier prayer)
 
Poor boys and men.
Roads lead to War.

 
Young woman with a  sweet smile.
Silk dress.
Smelling like sweet flowers.

 
Whisper,  "let's dance tonight.
You shall go to War."

 
"Tonight we need to create photos for the heart."

 
"Memories to keep you warm when you are lonely and afraid."

 
Young man brings the sweet Angel close.
Whisper kind words of love and thankfulness.

 
Soldier stand alone.
Cleans his M-16.
Death is all around him.

 
He closes his eyes.
He remembered.
The smell of flowers.
The feel of the silk dress.

 
The sweet smile of his love.

 
Keeps him human.

 
                  John Castellenas
                  4 April 2009
 
 
 

Author's Note

I stood alone on guard duty on the border of Iraq. Didn't think of War. I thought of beautiful faces and family.
Coyote

Reviews

[E. Leo Wells]

Do a little soldier poetry myself ...fought the demons and the devil, walked the trail and waded the rivers, ...you stuff is good, Soldier stand alone. Cleans his M-16. Death is all around him. nice verse, working on some new stuff ....keep writing and posting
E Wells KY

[Cryingkate]

Hope you made it home Dear Soldier E.Leo Wells ! I send you a Thank you for your service for all of us.
And I send A Song of hope with my tears that Mankind will someday overcome the war machine and live together in Peace.
May someday the only war we make is the war cry for Peace.

[hmarieee]

Thank you for serving our country first of all and this is an amazing poem. The last couple of lines really get to your heart and you should keep writing because you really have a way with words. Thank you for sharing.

[Blessed_Angel]

Oh wow i don't know what to say. I broke out in tears. This poem is amazing. I love how you write poems like this great job.

[Sakib]

A soldier is not just a soldier. He has emotion and he is still a human. A nice poem.

[Barbara Lynne]

first of all...thank you for serving our country...next...beautifully written...thank you for sharing

[Ryan_Lopez_Dunn]

This is a very powerful piece.

"He closes his eyes.
He remembered.
The smell of flowers.
The feel of the silk dress."

To think of the love of his life instead of the pain of war... What keeps him human. This is just beautifully written : )

[Daydreamer54]

Aw, so sweet! Things like that is what you need in order to keep going! great write!

[Becky C Strukamp]

This is an awesome poem. I cried as it hit home with me.You have a magical way with words. I love reading all your work. Bravo!!!

[masqued_muse]

I think this is beautiful..the sentiment needs not to be tainted in any way, sometimes it is hard from a reviewer's stance, to critique when one knows the memories that crafted such art. but, you asked, so I will try. "Photos" (did not need apostrophe),"he closES his eyes".oh yah and (rewind, ME)..needs to be,Whisper,"Let's dance tonight", you shall go to war".
John, I hope this helped you..add me, please?

[Peggy Gildon]

Wow this is beautiful! Heres to our men and women who fight the good fight for our freedom. Great write. Vivid imagery. God bless

[Misty Blue Eyes]

really love how you put soldiers and war into your poems.. i think you told me that you were in the military at one time so it fits and i love hearing about the problems of soldiers and what they go through...