One tin soldier walked away.

I worry for my world. The real treasure of a life. Is knowing love.

One tin soldier walked away.

 I had a friend in the Army.

He sat alone and he talked to no-one and

he was a large black man of twenty-one.

I made him befriend me.

I sat for weeks at breakfast and lunch with him.

One day, he asked me.

What the f**k do you want?

I told him. I see heavy sadness and 

if you need someone to talk to.

Please talk to me.

I told him I re-joined the Army because of two brothers committing suicide.

I understand sadness, I understand being pissed-off.

He told me. There were thousands dead bodies.

Me and my unit cleaned-up Death valley.

Some were screaming and we couldn't help them, that were in pieces.

The leaders told us, we won and we must celebrate.

I body-bags so many and I remember every face.

I couldn't celebrate the murder of so many men.

I was send here to be healed.

I told him my name is Johnnie and I have a truck on the base.

You and me will wander away from the base this weekend.

You name the place, you need to go.

He gave me his hand and he told me my name is Bobbie.

Virginia born. And I need the sea.

We found the Atlantic and I made him drink the Black Velvet whiskey.

He told me. I have a great mama and three sisters.

They worry for me.

We drank and drank.

We told the Army to f**k off, we told the world to f**k off.

He turned to me and he asked me.

What are you f*****g with me?

He stood-up and he tossed off his shoes.

He tossed his wallet to the sand and he ran into the Winter Atlantic.

I ran to him and I swear. Someone was standing with him.

I grasps him in my arms and he turned to me.

Johnnie, I am okay.

I won't kill no-more, I won't fight no-more.

I will leave the Army.

A month later, at the bus station.

I stood with him and he was smiling.

He told me, my mama is waiting for me in Virginia.

My sisters wanted to come and get me.

I told him, I am okay and I would see them soon.

Thank you Johnnie for befriending me.

I was one-step from suicide when you sat with me and you wouldn't allow me to die.

My mama will take care of me and my sister will keep me strong.

I reached my hand to him and he reached his arms around me.

Gave me a bear hug and he told me.

If you need a friend. Please come to my home in Northern Virginia.

I watched him load the bus and I waved goodbye.

I wrote to my journal.

"They told the tin soldier, he have won.

He stood in center of 20,000 dead men and he asked God.

Who won? Brothers, sons and fathers laid dead around him.

The tin soldier cried for men, who cannot cry no-more.

The tin soldier body-bags men and he prayed for each one.

Now the tin soldier is walking away and he saw no winner.

Just blood on his hands, that he can't clean-off his hands.

Now the tin soldier walked away. He hope one day.

He can forgot war and the blood red hands will be clean again."

Coyote

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, we're finally on our own,
this summer I hear the drumming, four dead in Ohio.

Just as you have never been able to shake the effects of your war, I have never been able to shake the effects of the war fought here at home in those summer months.

Thanks for your wonderful words, John,

Winston

[Coyote Poetry]

Same war Winston. The draft took the men and they had limited choose. The people seeking the end of war. Were soldiers for peace. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[John the Baptist]

PTSD is a grim affliction. There are sights no one should see, yet some have no choice. Suicide becomes the lot of many of them. Your act of kindness likely saved the young man from an early grave.

[Coyote Poetry]

Many soldiers struggle and many soldiers can walk away. I walked away myself. But war found me. When I lost three close friend in Iraq war two. I learn. War can steal everything. Thank you my dear friend for reading and the comment.

[lightsong]

Thank You Johnnie... Thank You for reaching out to him with your care and understanding, with your kindness and love, with your heart. healing from war and violence is very difficult, and many people will always have the memories to haunt them. the brutality, the senseless death, the painful views, the blood scent... the the the... yes, what life really means? Bless your gentle heart my friend 🤍

[Coyote Poetry]

I was saved a few time my dear friend. We must help the people, we can. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Dennis Wolf]

I did my service, though have not seen armed conflict.. That doesn't mean I won't get called in if the ruskies decided they wanted the rest of Europe too... And should anyone invade my homeland, I will fight and kill them without remorse or regret... However, being the aggressor is not something I would throw my life away for.

I've lost some people to suicide, and attempted it myself... So I guess I know 'sadness' as well.

A great write, this one.
Thanks for sharing.

[Coyote Poetry]

I believe the ruskies won't fight anyone after Ukraine. No money to pay soldiers. The Roman Empire. No pay, no soldiers. Nuclear weapons, I hope not. Ain't ready for the Mad Max world yet. Thank you for reading and the comment Dennis Wolf.

[Dennis Wolf]

Well, I hope you are right. It's not on my bucket list to fight the Russian army hahaha

read moreWell, I hope you are right. It's not on my bucket list to fight the Russian army hahaha

Always a pleasure to read your work.

[Chris Shaw]

Touched my heart with this write you did Coyote. No winners in war. You saved that young man from suicide and his mama and sisters will be eternally grateful. You recognised his pain and helped him. That is a gift.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Chris. I re-joined the Army to heal. I did learn to live again. I was saved and I believe. We must try to save someone. The Army was cool. The soldiers supported the other soldier.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, like family. When so far from home and loved ones you have to look out for each other. The world is a lonely place and hell can be here on earth.

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes you are right dear Chris.