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.

[samuel foxtrot]

unique writing style I must admit, its odd how it sounds so broken when i'm reading it, and yet somehow magically seems to fit together after i've finished a line. lovely beautiful story, which leaves an excelent impression

[Kimberly "Melody" Carne..]

I loved this and agree with you! Working at the V.A. Hospital for three years I met so many that would relate to this poem. I being one of the last they see before heading out the door would do all I could to make them smile and laugh. We laughed to dull the pain that would follow them to the end. Sometimes all the wanted was a friend to talk to as the welcome death around the bin.

[pumpkin head]

Such a teary eyed write, so deep. It's true what you say in your authors note.

[Aehr]

this made me teary.. I could feel the emotions. The amazing poem tells the reader an extra-amazing tale. Its sad but so well done. *SOB* I have to shelve this in any case... I loved it... left me speechless.

[MoriartyMesa]

Sometimes I hate to read your work, because the proper words can never come to mind, other than truly awesome. But looking at my low brow and writing, im limited.

[deepblue04]

This is amazing,I really like it. War has and will affect those in reaching distance of it. Good job!

[quinfinn]

this is truly heart breaking and poignant. as usual, Coyote, you have struck a chord within my soul with your writing, however, this one is epic and profoundly disturbing, i feel i will still be digesting this poem much later in the week... i won't forget this one

[Enid Blake]

Really poignant. Encaptures the multi-layered experience of 'pain'.

[Jordan A. Wilson]

i love the story, i didn't think about dividing my attention for a second.

[Barbara Walker]

This is a very moving tribute to an important person in your life. My favorite line is, "Some wars outlast the battles." So much truth in those words. This piece was moving, without being maudlin. Thank you!
Now for the nuts and bolts:)
First stanza
are slowly

Second stanza
The man sees...

Third stanza
Quote marks around fourth line or put the word-that-after the word-wished.
He whispered,

Fourth stanza
He sits...
volunteered

Fifth stanza
Now barely,

Sixth stanza
...and told me,

Seventh stanza
He told me,

Eighth stanza
He told me,

Ninth stanza
downtown, unless that's the name of the tavern, then you would capitalize both Downtown and Tavern.

Tenth stanza
...eats...
...one wish, it would be...

Eleventh stanza
...my friend,

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you kind friend for your help. I greatly appreciate.