You did not leave me my friend.

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

Author's Note

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.

Reviews

[Kaya]

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.

[Abbie]

a great story is told through your poetry. it has much meaning and depth in it. I like it, great job.

[The Analog Kid]

War can work on your psyche big time I can only imagine. God help our warriors that are haunted...,

[moonbeam40]

HEY COYOTE, MY WRITING JUST VANISHED A THICK BLACK HOURGLASS APPEARED AND MY WRITING VANISHED, THE THIEF DID NOT LIKE THE TRUTH OF WHICH I WROTE, HAVING TO USE CAPITAL LETTERS, AS MY PRINT IS COMING OUT SO SMALL, YOUR POEM TUGGED AT MY HEART STRINGS, SO VERY VERY SAD, PHAROAHS USED TO LEAD THEIR MEN INTO BATTLE, THEY DID NOT HIDE AWAY IN UNDERGROUND BUNKERS, ALL WARS SHOULD BE BANISHED FROM OUR BEAUTIFUL PLANET, GIVE PEACE A CHANCE, A VERY SAD POEM,ALL THE BEST TO YOU COYOTE,MOONBEAM:))

[Kuhr Gred]

wow.. While reading your poem, I remember the story, they met when they're third grader then became schoolmate in Air Base.. until after the war.. they're friends.. i think their friendship last in 77years :)
-Kuhr Gred (so touching story)

[.]

Very strong piece, very emotional journey within the poem. I love your writing. Another wonderful poem xx

[Robbie~xoxo~]

This is a powerful piece...your heart is always poured into your writes, and this one tugs at the heartstrings. It touches the very core of humanity and friendship. To feel this connected to a soul and cherish the memories you have with this person is what makes living life worth it. Well penned my friend.

[Moonflower]

A beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

[emmajoy]

Not make-believe, not a melodramatic scribble to attract reviews, John, but your own special voice in your own special style remembering one of your heroes So sad, superbly put. "You did not leave me my friend". and neither will your words

[Amber "Victoriomantic" ..]

One of your most powerful pieces, I would say. You teach many lessons about the toils of war; people should read your work and heed your warnings. I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, but I am glad you got to enjoy such a relationship. The words in your author's note (" Good people can lead us to a better place after they have been in hell") show that you are a deep thinker and a very wise man even outside of your wonderful poetry.