When the war is over

Please listen to the video

                     When the war is over

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I haven't been right,

maybe I won't be right again,

I left war and war found me.

Friends faces are hanging with me,

a heavy sadness.

My friends,

damn war stole the best from us.

I pray the war is over for them.

I pray they found a place where we do not need to fight no-more.

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I pray the war is over for you, dear friend.

I stand by a photo and your bio at the Veteran day celebration,

many soldiers from the old and new wars,

we come early, before the event.

The old soldiers comfort the young soldiers,

share kind words and advice.

A Vietnam Vet told me.

The war is over for our friends and we, who lived.

Are the caretaker of their memories.

Must ensure they are not forgotten and ensure their family are taken care of.

We become, the story tellers of great men and woman lost to war.

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I pray my war is over and I know. I cannot forget war. Salinger and Hemingway fought in the last great wars and we did not stop. Writers write the truth. War taught me. Each day is a miracle and please don't waste a life in self-pity. The cost of freedom, it isn't free. I know many young men and women are in dangerous places and I pray. No-more war, keep the children clean of war. Our leader's greatest sin. Sending them to fight the old men wars.

                           Dancing Coyote

Author's Note

Thinking.

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

John, I have seen this girl sing, she was amazing and her story was very touching.
There is a great song at the end of the WW1 movie Passchendaele called "After the War" and if you watch it on Youtube there is a great video to accompany it. Check it out.
Thanks for your post my friend, well done.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ted and I will research the video now.

[augustus]

I've yet to discover the point of war! I do know people die needlessly!

[Coyote Poetry]

I hate war too my friend. I hate violence and I pray everyday. We can get along. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[kentuck14]

A Great Man once said, "There will wars and rumors of war . . . but the end will not come yet . . . these are birth pangs." As long as men hold evil in their hearts the war will never be over.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend. Dryden said it first. When they are profit in war. War will not stop. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and you are one of the caretakers with your words, Coyote...they show such understanding of the viciousness of War...the loss, the heartbreak...we need them to stop, to stop, to stop...
peace and love!!!!!!
we fought for that a long time ago...where are we now?

j.

[Coyote Poetry]

We went backward and I pray we haven't pass the point of no-return. Thank you Jacob for reading and the comment.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“ The war is over for our friends, and we, who lived, are the caretakers of their memories...we become the storytellers..”- powerful, profound, loyal words. “I haven’t been right, maybe I won’t be right again.” You are absolutely “right” my friend, and your beautiful poem should be etched on a bronze plaque, as a poetic memorial to those brave men and women who have beenlost to war. The video and song from this woman brought me to tears. No-one, no-one, says it better than you do Coyote. Another one of your masterpieces to save for my grandboys. Thank you.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Annette. I am tire of war. My grandchildren are 10 years old. I do not want them to follow my path.

[Neville]

Yes indeed, many of those left behind after every conflict, no matter where may become not only survivors, but casualties too.. and.. it takes a special kind of survivor to become the caretaker of fallen brothers & sisters memories.. Great words heard here, tho tinged with much sadness Johnnie C.. write on my brother... Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Neville for reading and the kind words. I pray 2019 become better than 2018. 2018, a hard year for our world.

[Neville]

I truly hope so too my friend...

[Onlyme]

This is a very profound, deeply revealing poem and a wonderful tribute to fellow Veterans and active due members who have seen death and destruction and wars. And the brutality, harsh and human tool it has on someone who is lucky to still be alive. And walk away from those evil times. It's very moving, beautiful expressed and so heartfelt John. It makes you truly feel for you all. And also for the poor soul. Who passed and are now gone. But never ever forgot for what they did for their country by giving their life.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Dawn and I agree, too many people lost to war greed.

[Gee]

I listened to the song and read you yesterday, thought I’d commented, obviously not :)
My favourite of yours Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear friend. I appreciate the comment and the kind words.

[Stella Armour]

This lady had me close to tears ,and then when she sang i was in tears and such a beautiful voice.

PTSD, so widespread and the aftermath of all they have been through to make peace in our time.

"Each day is a miracle and please don't waste a life in self-pity. " Fine words John, aa motto to live by .

[Coyote Poetry]

She made me cry. I was glad they were kind to her. I believe singing helped her. I wish she sang more. Thank you dear Stella for reading and the kind words.

[Stella Armour]

i think she was very brave indeed to speak out and to sing like that in front of strangers showed how courageous she was ..

[Coyote Poetry]

She was very brave. A good woman. Also a soldier.

[Chris Shaw]

It makes me weep to think of those who are gone, fighting for our freedom. There are no winners in war only losers. Broken hearts that never mend. Stories too painful to tell. Powerful words Coyote. The ones left also continue to suffer. There's no way out.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes, you are right dear Chris. Poor woman broke my heart singing and made me remember. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Chris Shaw]

I watched her. It was heartbreaking.

[Gee]

Haven't read the poetry yet but just watched the lady sing, heartbreak indeed.

[h d e rushin]

I was standing in the line at the post office reading the back of the jacket of the guy in front of me. It gave a number of all the MIA's from Vietnam. I, being me, engaged him in conversation. He was short and balding and pudgy yet imperceptibly gentle all while wearing a jacket full of emblems and little flags.
He told me how the US had stopped looking for so many of those missing in action from the jungles and the Mekong delta..and how they viewed it as no longer important. Yet he thought it was important and that's the point. The war never really ends, does it Coyote? I mean it never stops beating in the blood or the yearning for that seminal comradeship is never fully duplicated/ . Get married. Have kids. buy a house in the suburbs. But it still never ends....great poem...dana

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right Dana. Korean war have many MIA's also. Forgotten too. Thank you my friend for reading and the comment.