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.

[Hope]

I agree with your poem Coyote:)
Wars can be avoided.
An insightful work!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Neetha for reading and the comment. When men learn. Violence and war. Not the road to peace.

[Hope]

You are always welcome:)

[Anna]

I really love this. Your father must be so proud of you. This touched me in many ways. "We are born to die
We are born to live"
I love the way you said that and it's so meaningful. Thank you for this beautiful writing.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Anna for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

I know your father is proud of you and of this eloquent tribute. They were the quiet men, killing themselves quietly in self-imposed penance for the killing they were forced to do in war. Drinking themselves to death to forget. "War don't teach you s**t"-brilliant line and epitaph. Bravo my friend!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Annette for reading and the comment. You are right. Our grandfathers and Grandmothers who knew the old wars. They appreciate every new day.