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.

[Flowers of Eternity]

Beautiful poem Coyote, even if when all your surroundings are full of chaos and death still, you had a peace of mind because of your family and for me that was very inspiring because It can also mean that even if your life is nothing but darkness, just close your eyes and remember for what or who is the reason you are still fighting and living. Wonderful poem, really wonderful.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. Somethings are hard to forget. But we must.

[Flowers of Eternity]

Your welcome!

[Gee]

I couldn't imagine what it would be like to constantly be in a kill or be killed situation, frightening.
I tip my hat to all servicemen and women.
Nice words Coyote, very nice.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Gee. Being away from home teaches us. Home is okay and wonderful.

[likesgreeneggsandham]

Going to war is so far from the bounds of my reality that I found the theme of this poem both beautiful and alarming. Thanks for sharing your experience in such a beautifully crafted way. I have often wondered how human beings stay human in the midst of war.

[Coyote Poetry]

To stay human, must keep the human parts. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[PatrickPink]

Such an important message in this poem; no matter how the war machine grinds, and whether we agree with its purpose, the people involved are not faceless heroes/monsters, but individuals. They have loves, hopes and dreams. Your use of speech gives the poem a human tone, as though the writer is reiterating their own memories to the reader. Wonderful work!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Patrick. I appreciate the comment.

[Jade]

WOW!!!! LOVE THIS, I can feel the emotions out pour in this.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Brandie. I appreciate your comment.

[wordman]

war and love always go hand in hand
great write

[Coyote Poetry]

Without love for country and family. Soldiers would have no reasons to fight. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[poetdoug]

Great tribute to our brave Veterans. Thank you for your dedicated service to our beloved America.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Doug. I appreciate the comment.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

I don't know what War is, I've never lived it, my grandparents told me once it was all about fear, fear to loose your own life, but also fear for your beloved ones. Maybe it's utopistic, but I wish there'll be a time that War has died. A good poem about holding to beautiful things in time of War :)

Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

I have the same hope as you. I saw what war did. Left the poor woman and children, old people homeless. No winner in war. War is spoke often by greedy men for land and oil. I pray for peace daily and I hope men who know history and conversation can find the road to peace. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

My pleasure, I don't love war but I like the way you talk of it in your poem. :)
Rudi

[Dhaye]

We all know how a soldier's life goes on. Going into war, there is no assurance of everything. Love makes one feel he is human...
Thank you for sharing this

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Dhaye. I appreciate the comment.

[Dhaye]

You are welcome.

[Jamsheed Shafi]

nice poem dear.
your message is clear, we need to look towards the sun and not towards the shadow. life becomes simplified then.
and when we are in pain remembering the beautiful faces we saw in our lives relieves that pain.
I liked the whole poem but best part was
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.

[Coyote Poetry]

Your review is true. "we need to look towards the sun and not towards the shadow. "
Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.