We are born to die and we were born to live

New poetry. For my missed father.

                   We are born to die and we are born to live

Dear father drank his one pint of rum with some coke nightly and he sat alone with his thoughts. I learn later. My father was fighting battles. He was fighting battles to keep his sanity with the hope. The rum could not kill the memories.

I learn later in my life. He was just a man who had to struggle with the old wars. He held his medals from the Korea war above the fireplace. I believe more of a  reminder. He was sane before war taught him how to kill and hate.

I joined the Army in 1976. I learn many men drank the memories away and I remember my good friend. A old timer and Korean war/Vietnam vet told me often. I knew love and I knew terror. I was young and hopeful like you once. Today I see blood on my hands and Johnnie. Love tried to save me. We are born to die and we are born to live. Live Johnnie. War don't teach you s**t.

I buried my good friend and my father. They dry-gutted their livers and kidney. I learn. There isn't never enough booze to erase the memory of the bloody wars.

Today I stand alone and I pray. I pray for no-war.  I pray for no need for soldiers to fight and die. I pray the children in our world are safe and sound everywhere. I look into the mirror and I told myself often.

We are made by love,
we are made by life.
We are men of clay.
Just being molded by kiss, lesson and tell.
We are born to die.
We are born to live.
Please teach the children peace and calm.
Not war and hate.
Jesus said love your enemy.
The sad wish of man.
Kill your enemy.
                               John Castellenas/Coyote

Author's Note

Just words

Reviews

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

As you probably already know, I am not a fan of Organized Religion. However, I do not blame religion, per say, as being the primary and ultimate cause of war, as do so many others ... It is my pondered conclusion that war is a tragic exhibited characteristic trait of mankind as whole--a flaw in our human nature that those in power over us manipulate and prey upon ... To hamishly quote myself for the purpose and hope that others reading your work will glean something of value in regards war and its true cause, I am sharing a passage from my article, Is God Illogical As Hell: " ... In my humble opinion, war is caused by that very dominantly present character flaw in human nature that causes men to assert and believe that they are somehow better than others and, hence: more sophisticated; more refined; more civilized; more worthy; more deserving; more holy; more righteous; more intelligent; more knowledgeable, more wiser, more cunning; more deceiving; and more willing to take what they need or want from those unable to stop them. This, sadly, is the all too surreal reality of the human condition and the true cause of war which is capitalized upon by men in power (government and cleric positions) who fully realize the truth of my defining words in using their power to manipulate men (religious men committing heinous acts) to war in the name of religion and God for their own selfish gain and profit without care or compassion for the price paid by those they rule and conquer in blood and loss of human life ..." https://www.scribd.com/document/332047260/Is-God-as-Illogical-as-Hell-by-Marvin-Thomas-Cox-Flynn

I hear your words and I feel your pain. My father and step dad both served in Korea, and both came home with baggage that the mind could never discard or rid itself of, so they took it with them to their graves ...

Marv

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. Men believe they are more superior and till we learn respect. We shall be in trouble. Thank you my friend for reading and detailed comment.

[Aesthetic Trash]

This was absolutely incredible...

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. A old one. No-one win in war.

[Aesthetic Trash]

Very true.

[Zoya]

Wow, so very full of painful truths. That really is what we hope and pray for...the end of wars. Only peace and love around us. A power-packed write. Loved it!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Zoe. Peace is hard work. Men of war are many.

[Zoya]

True. You're welcome.

[barleygirl]

LOVE THIS! I'm reminded of a little story I wrote about the huge change in my favorite older brother, from the time he was a fun-loving teen to the time he returned from Vietnam with severe alcohol & anger problems -- I was afraid of him then. I love the juxtaposition in your title & thru-out the sentiments. The ending poem is a delicious contrast to the war prose (((HUGS)))

[Coyote Poetry]

Real life teaches real sadness. Men of war. Had to carry a heavy load. Thank you dear friend for reading and the comment.

[Stella Armour]

To have enough food, shelter, warmth and friends is all anyone needs to live.
We need to learn respect as well instead of greed.

Sadly John, when our dear soldiers become disillusioned with why they are killing their brothers it is often drink that numbs the horrific realization that they have been used as pawns in a futile war. One day our like will be eradicated altogether and then the world will return to its natural , peaceful state.

[Coyote Poetry]

I pray one day dear Stella. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Simran Kewlani]

I love this, CP. I read this out to a friend of mine, it gave her goosebumps. I love how real and unedited you have made it. It's really raw, which makes it amazing.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Simran. Real life is very scary.

[lightsong]

Agonizing my friend, so painful, when the language of violence and war speaks, the language of humanity and logic fades... there is no logic in wars and violence...
Sad, yet yearning hopeful and heart warming little Song, sung by the truer throats, we need more of it to raise the voice of peace and love over the voice of violence...

[Coyote Poetry]

I pray we haven't pass the point of no return. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[...]

This is very deep statement. Death of loved ones. Can help us open our eyes. All wars was made for to take something what don't belong to us. We should see all people like friends and respect they religion and believe .

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. If people listen, knew respect and led with concern, kindness and love. Our world would be a better place. Thank you for reading my work. I do appreciate.

[...]

I love you work. Have very interising style with changing forms. I really like it.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Poet. I will back tonight. Off to the lake.

[Dave]

You're right again - it's terrible enough to go and learn how to fight and kill. Then the memories of what we went through come to haunt us into trying to drink away those horrible things we saw and did in war.

[Coyote Poetry]

The old wars. The last wars. So sad. Today kids know only war. Not peace. Thank you Dave for reading and the comment.

[Dave]

It's always a pleasure John.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

booze cannot erase memories, but it can erase lives that will become only memories...
but even fathers are human and have their difficulties and try to find ways to escape...it isn't easy having others depend on us.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right my friend. Life can teach us the wrong answers.