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.

[Ama May Cooper]

This s such a beautiful but painful piece. i loved it brings the emotional feelings of leaving a lvoed one behind and a strange illogical calm that seems to flow thru a soilder on the front line .. its a wonderful piece i loved this greatly

[::Yv0nne::]

Wow this is very moving..especially coming from your own experience. Its sad in a way.... that you had to be there surrounded by death...but comforting to know that you did have those memories to keep you alive,sane and here you are today...sharing with us. Good job:)

[Poetic Heart]

This is very Romantic and sweet.. yet sad.

[★ Aeryn Harmonica..]

Lovely poem. I can tell it comes straight from the heart. Simply written, yet so powerful. I love the interestiong format, gives the poem almost a mysterious quality. I love the ending, it is so strong. I'm glad that you had these comforting thoughts while serving our country. I love how the poem shows the loving spirit of the man even while he is in a dangerous situation. It shows the good and bad side of humanity - Love and War. Thank you for a great read and for serving our country.

[Aradie Rain]

this speaks straight to my heart, my best friend was going to be in the war. All i could think of was trying to give him somthing worth coming home for.

[Seashell]

Ahhh sweet memories for you to treasure at such a dangerous time. I bet it helped a tiny wee bit.
Like this poem....straight and honest.
Thanks
Babs xx

My Grandfather was a U.S. Marine during world war two. He always tought me that "to be afraid is to be human, but to let your fear control you is to be weak..."

This was an awsome poem man! Anything soldier dedicated I love. I love our soldiers, past and present.

[Brittany YO]

I've never known anyone that took part in the war, or even served for their country but this made me feel like I did. It is honest and truthful, showing how adaptable and malleable the human spirit is, and what we use to get us through tough times. Beautiful.

[Ronald Ayers]

Dear Coyote:

I've never been a soldier. So, when I read this poem, I do get a sense of some of the fear, and lonliness a young man far away from home on some distant battle field might feel. "The smell of flowers. The feel of the silk dress." would help to keep me human right here on the mean streets of good old U.S.A.

Mainly, your poem drew my mind to my son Ron. He's in Afgahnistan now. What is he thinking? What are his memories? I hope he thinks of his mommy and daddy. (WORD!)

I wish I could offer something technical. I've never written poetry, so I have no foundation to comment on the technical aspects of your writing. In the end the emotional response you get from your reader is what is most important.

Good work.

Sincerely,
Ronald Ayers

[Gandré]

great, you are back. I thought, this was sad.
We always make our choices.