The parting glass

Great song and some words. Please listen to the song.

                          The parting glass

I once stood with 15,000 soldiers on the Iraq border,

just men with the common goal,

fighting for freedom.

We were just men and women,

who loved, who drank and who danced fearless upon the soil of freedom.

I drink a beer alone on Veteran's day,

I order two beers and two shots of whiskey.

I raise my glass of whiskey to the sky and I talk to friends,

who came home, wrapped in the USA flag.

I speak to a lonely seat,

thank you my best friends,

we were young once and now I sit alone.

I drink to you my friends and please keep a seat empty, for a friend.

I will join you soon.

I know my dear friends would tell me,

we fought, we lived and we celebrated life together.

Soldiers pray, deeds done in war.

Did some good for our world.

I am thankful I was a soldier,

I spend time in the company of good men and women.

Here is my parting glass words shared with men,

who left me too soon.

To you, to us, to the days of youth.

I pray my good friends,

a place in heaven for the soldier who left too soon.

Tell my old dad, 

an old soldier will be with him.

I raised the glass of beer and I whispered.

I will see you soon. My war is almost over.

                       Dancing Coyote

                    

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i do wish all the wars were almost over...and i admire greatly all those who fought for us...who did their duty, whether the wars were accepted as legitimate, and for the right reasons or not.
The soldiers did what they must...and faced death, together....this really gave me goose bumps...
and tears for those comrades you lost in battles...
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Jacob. War have no winners.

[Troy Henson]

To those who have fought and continue to fight and face their fears to ensure the safety of others is an admirable thing to do.
This is a very moving tribute with so much depth, honour and respect. Thank you 😊

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Troy. I appreciate the comment my friend.

[Laura Kate]

This is very moving. Such an intimate story to tell, but told with such warmth and with open arms for the memories of your comrades, with an acceptance for both your present and future. I loved the reference to 'dancing', how it is fearless to dance upon a land which is free. Yourself still dancing, still free, at the end. Makes me question the idea of freedom. Thank you for sharing.

[Laura Kate]

I listened to this song and it brought me to tears;

'But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all....

And the sun just broke through the clouds for the first time today - it's been raining all day.
Thinking of you and your dear friends.
Laura

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Laura. A wonderful song, made more special by the great General and soldier voices.

[Frederick P Samson]

Good poem, it’s nice that your pride overrides your sadness

[Coyote Poetry]

Maybe, not pride. Maybe accepting life as-was. Thank you Frederick for reading and the comment.

[Great Aunt Astri]

So poignant, and wonderfully written. Even though I am against war, we must give credit for the bravery and selflessness of the soldiers. I sincerely hope 'your war' will end with grace and gentleness. (but not just yet, I hope!).

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear friend. We learn to accept things and go forward.

[Neville]

these words are so monumentally moving my friend and are so deserving of a monument of their very own or a hero's chest to be pinned upon.. good friends and hero's all... I shiver as I salute you all

Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Neville.

[Neville]

these words are worth far more..

[sette]

and i really do wish that every war will end and peace will be felt once again...

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too my friend. I pray daily for peace and calm. Thank you for reading and the comment.