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.

[Mic]

Very very nice. Provokes a big emotional response. Reminds me of things my grandfather would talk about. Makes one think.

[New Dawn]

when we are young we are not always able to see the beauty around us but the experience of life helps us to appreciate the wonder of life. a beautiful and poignant poem Coyote - it does your friend justice. He should never be forgotton but as long as you remeber him as a person he never will be.

[Blank page]

:)

[Pawprints]

Sad poem, but beautiful.

[Robbie~xoxo~]

The burdens you carry in life are always turned into a positive outlook. Your appreciation for wildflowers is deeper than the surface of beauty, it is for life itself. Your wisdom transends in this powerful write.

[teardrop]

sad write, makes one think of their life as well and what they have.

[Frieda P]

Such lovely sentiments in this write, takes a journey from friendship, war to death and wildflowers, all make sense. I love wildflowers, they are my favorite, give me wildflowers any day, you can keep the roses. This is a touching tribute. Nice.

[Tomi]

Pure, unbridled emotion in this.. War is cold..death also. Salute to your friend!

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Coyote, this is beautiful. The faithfulness and love for the dead friend is overwhelming. The justification for war and why the poet wants to be a wildflower instead.........I see why we protect them now too.

[Enid Blake]

It is a very sad poem, but it ends with a positive, hopeful note and such a strong message with that vivid image conjured by the wildflowers - brilliant! I enjoyed reading this :)