Just men

First job in country of Kuwait in 1992. Move the dead frozen bodies from Death Valley.

Just men                   

 
(I got to Iraq. My first task was to move the frozen dead bodied of Iraqi  soldiers
 killed at Death valley.)


Listless and cold.
We moved the frozen dead bodies.

 
Men who were slaughtered by planes at Death Valley.
Air Force sent  them to their god and paradise.

 
Four soldiers doing what we are told.
Working in silence.


My mind opt. out of thinking of the bodies as men.

 
No-one tried to claim the bodies.
We were told to move the frozen bodies to a larger storage container.
Then it would wait for somewhere to be ship.


 
Four men discussed the task after.
Joe told me he wanted to pray for them.
He asked me.  "Does anyone care about these men?


 
I told him "somewhere there is a mother and
family who is heartbroken and sad.
They don't know if these men are alive or dead."


"Guns and bombs don't give a s**t who they kill."


 
Joe forced us to pray.
He asked God to help these poor men on their journey.
He prayed they can go home and find peace.


 We sat in silence.

 
Funny part after we pray for the frozen bodies.
We looked at the containers with different respect and eyes.

 
We went back to moving the dead.
We put them down with ease and kindness now.


                                   Coyote
                                   January 2009
 

                                                                                                               

Author's Note

A old story. In War faces of men become the same. We must remember the Soldiers are fathers, sons and mothers, daughters.

Reviews

[A]

Wars are the most fatal disease humanity ever faced, I could never understand how cruel and heartless people, or careless enough to cause or start a war specially the war of Iraq what was the point?! There were no nuclear weapons and Iraqi soldiers weren't attacking USA...How many people have died from both the army and the people, peace is missing from this world;hopefully not forever, great work, thank you for sharing

[Iota]

It is a world of difference between hearing about the war on TV and reading it from a human perspective. I think the media doesn't want us to see them as human, makes it easier to kill. Compassion, is a wonderful thing to own in your heart and it is nice seeing it even during war. Honor among soldiers.

[Nautili]

oh.....that is chilling. The content, along with your style, your word choice, all made for a huge impact on me. Joe forced you to pray and then after you saw the men through new eyes; it was as if your eyes were frozen as well, and had thawed in prayer. And now you saw that the frozen men were, just a short time ago, real, blood-pumping men of passion and courage, with families that will forever miss their loss. I felt like I was on holy ground when I read that.

[Honeypot]

This is beautiful and haunting. Its good to remember that every soldier, whether its ours or theirs, belongs to somebody and was loved and cherished. You honor not only them but everybody who loves or loved somebody at war. This is really lovely, sad, so damn sad, but wonderful all the same.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

It is sad cause most of us see the soldiers killed as just another statistic when they are all humans with a life and family left behind. May God bless soldiers past and present, Alive and in heaven.

[TamiViolet]

Coyote, as I have said before, you really write like Hemingway, and with each piece I read, I feel the pain and anguish during this time....and the numbing sensation that allows you to do what must be done. The last five lines are compelling as I sit in silence asking the age old question... why?

I'd like to see all of these pieces displayed under one title, yet each story given a title so that it could stand alone but still a part of an even larger picture of the brutality of war....its effect upon humanity....its tenderness of the soldiers towards one another... After all, there is one protagonist, namely, you, as well as other features that beg for this to become a novella or novel. Just my take on your work. Nevertheless, I truly am honored to read each post.

As Emily said.... we must remember the soldiers and their families... And we do with gratitude, love and a prayer for peace among all nations... A heartfelt thanks, Coyote.

[Wicahpi]

In the face of war, many horrible 'crimes' are committed and it's hard to remember those who perpetrate such acts of violence are human. This is reminder that in the end all that matters is your soul. After death, it's up to God. This is a poem of respect under the most difficult of circumstance. Honor 'n Duty come with a price. We should always pray for one's soul to find peace in the after-life. Joe was right to say prayers for these 'frozen bodies'. It is true that once they were boys with families who most likely loved them each.
Peace n Light

[Sam Freeland]

The starkness of your truth underlines a depth of understanding found in great poetry.
My writing attempts to do the same...we must be kindred spirits in our attempt to
save the truth for future generations. Charlemagne saved Europe with even greater
determination. I humbly request your friendship at the cafe. sam

[Emily B]

We must remember. All the soldiers. All the families.

[alan khan]

wonderfully powerful work as always. this was written so well. really great job.

[deeps]

Wow! This is quite the powerful write here! Very well written!