Locked and loaded

War. What is it good for? Nothing.

                                      Locked and loaded
The old Soldiers knows. The madness of youth was the temptation of sweet wine and the fighting and dying for something worthwhile. It was their strength and their weakness.

A old soldier slowly drink his whiskey  and he tell his stories to willing ears. He tell strangers. The savageness of war is accepting and denial in old age. He talks of places where the grass and the sand was drenched in blood without emotion. Like a story from a book or another life.

The old soldiers gather. Men haunted by war need people who understand war is s**t and many men died for freedom. A high price paid for the new generation who gave-up their rights of freedom without a fight.

Dimly lighted bars, hide somber faces. The blackness of war must face the light. The old soldiers tell the kids. Don't wish for war. You may get your wish. Us soldiers fought for men with no concern for the young men and women. War is defined differently today. Old days. We fought to defend ourselves. If we were attacked. We were willing to fight and die for our country. Today we fight for strangers who rarely appreciate our actions and help. We allowed war contractors to become wealthy with the blood of our young people.

The old soldier drank a cold beer for his friends killed in the Iraq sand. He raised his beer high to the sky and he talked to a ghostly memory. I haven't forgot you old friends. Today I must live for you and me. We, who had lived must tell the story of great and brave men. One day I will find you and us old Soldiers will find a saloon in paradise. Drink to pretty women, children and the good day.

                               John Castellenas/Coyote

Author's Note

Just words

Reviews

[D Connolly]

"wealthy with the blood of our young people" makes me think that those people would DRINK their blood if they could make a dollar from it. This is a thoughtful piece and it really speaks for what is going on right now in the world. Those poor soldiers, always "fighting and dying for something worthwhile", may they find peace somewhere, either here or in the afterlife

[Coyote Poetry]

I pray for this often. I hope the soldiers have found a better place to rest. Thank you dear friend for reading and the comment.

[Paul Bell]

Great words. Soldiers do what Soldiers do. Drink to life, complain. Drink to death, complain. Ask them to do it all again. In a minute.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right Paul. Us soldiers in the USA. Volunteered. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Paul Bell]

It's a pleasure.

[Gee]

Never any winners John, only those that better fare.....and sometimes those that survive envy those that fell. Powerful piece of writing

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. Little different for country in deadly war. Both sides will lose. Thank you Gee for reading and the comment.

[Lydia Shutter]

I remember the song by Edwin Starr. Just as it was good for nothing back then, it is still good for nothing. It rips families apart. Your words are powerful and filled with deep emotion, John. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Lydia. Edwin Starr told the truth.

[R.A. Youngblood]

Not just words..those are words attacking with strong emotions and terrible truth. Keep it up.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I appreciate the comment.

[R.A. Youngblood]

Always.. 😀

[Ken Simm.]

The best thing I can say about this is that I can see it. I can picture the scene exactly as you describe it. Furthermore I can empathise with the character. That all makes for an excellent write.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ken. My Step-dad served as a soldier in Europe from 1941-1945. He speak only of coming home and appreciating every new day.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. An amazing pouring of truth and raw emotions. A graceful heart sharing the grave consequences of war for not just cause but for dominance and big contractors and corporations to get wealthy. Plus the arms industry love that , too. Thank you for sharing with us, sir. ....:::)))

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sami. I always appreciate your comments.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome, sir....::::)

[Hebe]

This is so truth you write with such pathos, i feel you had this experience. ...today i must live for you.... you can feel the pain. Thank you for tbid great writing full of real meaning!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Hebe. Life teach us many lessons. I learn. No winner in war.

[barleygirl]

I love the conversations that you describe where people let their hair down with each other as a form of friendly therapy, something much missing in our world today it seems. I hate war as much as you do, but it seems that this curse becomes more implausible as the years go by. Remember when wars had a beginning & an end? When the enemy could be defined & located & dispatched? Not that I want that now. But it seems better than this constant hacking of violence wearing away our trust & civility with one another. Sorry for this little rant. Your words move mountains inside me (((HUGS)))

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I pray daily. I don't want my grandchildren fighting in some war.

[Tony Jordan]

Very reminiscent of Wilfred Owen here Coyote. Like yourself he was a soldier... once... who saw that war as told in the media is lies - lies told well enough to fool another generation into fighting them.
Only soldiers know the true horror.
Magnificent writing.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Tony and I agree with your comment.

[Tony Jordan]

Welcome Coyote.