The Lover, A Soldier prayer.

Soldier goes off to War. Need kind and sweet memories to keep them human.

                     The Lover (A soldier prayer)
 
Poor boys and men.
Roads lead to War.

 
Young woman with a  sweet smile.
Silk dress.
Smelling like sweet flowers.

 
Whisper,  "let's dance tonight.
You shall go to War."

 
"Tonight we need to create photos for the heart."

 
"Memories to keep you warm when you are lonely and afraid."

 
Young man brings the sweet Angel close.
Whisper kind words of love and thankfulness.

 
Soldier stand alone.
Cleans his M-16.
Death is all around him.

 
He closes his eyes.
He remembered.
The smell of flowers.
The feel of the silk dress.

 
The sweet smile of his love.

 
Keeps him human.

 
                  John Castellenas
                  4 April 2009
 
 
 

Author's Note

I stood alone on guard duty on the border of Iraq. Didn't think of War. I thought of beautiful faces and family.
Coyote

Reviews

[E. Leo Wells]

Do a little soldier poetry myself ...fought the demons and the devil, walked the trail and waded the rivers, ...you stuff is good, Soldier stand alone. Cleans his M-16. Death is all around him. nice verse, working on some new stuff ....keep writing and posting
E Wells KY

[Cryingkate]

Hope you made it home Dear Soldier E.Leo Wells ! I send you a Thank you for your service for all of us.
And I send A Song of hope with my tears that Mankind will someday overcome the war machine and live together in Peace.
May someday the only war we make is the war cry for Peace.

[Laura Maidah]

SPaG is infallible. It's dirty, ugly, bloodred, and beautiful! "Young man brings the sweet Angel close.
Whisper kind words of love and thankfulness." By far the best lines. Very sentimental and moving.

[...]

I"m glad your heart survived the ugliness of war. Many of the men in my family also served. glad you made it home :)

[Mike]

Great Reflection even though you fight you still are human and your poetry clearly reflects your clear headed thoughts

[Amata Luna]

This is just great. It feels like I'm exactly where the girl and the soldier is. Especially the war. I can't really explain it but war people and anything that has to do with them always have an impact to me... Well done.

[BlueJay]

So sad, so sweet; I like that in the writing. I like how you wrote about your personal thoughts from a soldier's point view. It's a gem; poems like these. Exceptionally well written, and it touches the heart.

[Lokesh]

"Tonight we need to create photos for the heart."
"Memories to keep you warm when you are lonely and afraid."
"The sweet smile of his love."
"Keeps him human."
These lines are powerful and they are fine examples of poetry.
-Swargasmith

[Suditi]

Oh my.
This poem draws the reader's attention to such an important topic..
We keep fussing with our own petty problems..never once thinking, that there are thousands of brave soldiers out there, surrounded by war and blood and killings, and they have to hold on to the sweet memories of their loved ones to keep them strong.
It is a beautiful poem and it commands respect.

[Renée]

Coyote, Thank you for sharing your voice ... my words lack expression...but my eyes don't...this is beautiful