Mercy

A sad poem. We need more friends. More kindness.

                        Mercy

Young black man.
22 year old.
He sat alone and ate alone in the mess hall for many days.
I watched him and wondered why?

I knew great pain and understood his face and eyes.

I started to sit with him.
He said nothing for many meals.
Other Soldiers said he was crazy.

One morning at breakfast.
He looked at my eyes direct.
He told me.
"Some of the poor men were still alive at Death valley. They were still breathing.
Pieces of bodies speaking in a foreign language. I held so many of them. All I could do is listen."

His eyes filled with tears. He asked me.
"Was there any purpose for this war?"

I looked at his sad eyes. I told him.
"You did all you could. Mercy of someone hearing your last words allow the poor men to move to the next place with the vision a kind heart. Not the bloody s**t of war."

He got very quiet for a time. He whispered.
"All I see is death and blood in my dreams. I can't see any good in my life now. What can I do?'"

 I took him to Virginia beach. Not many people in the late months of winter.
I made him drink many long Island ice teas.
We drank till we could barely see anymore.

We wandered down to the Virginia shoreline.
He watched the Atlantic dance on the shore.

He turned to me. Asked me? "What the f**k are you trying to do to me?
Why don't you leave me alone?

I passed the whiskey to him.
I told him. "We have been lied to. No-body care if people live or die. We were just mercenaries for money and oil. Let's scream to the Gods. Lets scream into the wind. Tell the world to f-off. Then maybe we can find the mercy to forgive ourselves."

He gave me a big smile. Told me. "You are damn crazy."

He stood up and started to run down the ghostly night beach.
Screaming and crying.
He ran into the sea.
Yelling 'kill me, end my bloody life."

I swear I saw someone with him.
I tossed my wallet to the sand.
I went into the cold sea to get him.
He was waiting for me.

I wrapped my arms around him.
He smiles and told me. "I'm Okay.
I know I must forgive myself.

He turned and looked me in the eyes.
He whispered. "Thank you for the mercy of your friendship. No-one came when I was alone and afraid. I prayed for forgiveness. You forced me to face my life."

He looked at the morning sun rising from the east. Told me. "I'm done with the Army. I won't touch a gun or hurt another person."

A month later at the Greyhound bus station he was going home. I went to shake his hand. He grabbed me and gave me a bear hug. Kissed my forehead. He told me.
"Mama will heal me with her love. Baby sister will insure I'm alright. And I remember your face and what you gave me.  You gave mercy to a man in need."

                Coyote

Author's Note

Some stories reappear. This is a real story. War leave no winners. Just living casualty of what was done and must be learned to live with.

Reviews

[Cryingkate]

I vision the day, when two armies go to battle on the ground.
They drop their weapons and, mix themselves and be seated on the ground.
Anything they send from overhead to punish them all can only be done so many times.

Somewhere in the depth of man we finally say ENOUGH. When we finally see we serve each other and not divided nations,Man must come forth to man and not under a false umbrella of rule.

When we know our true strength and awake. There will be peace on earth.

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope one day we can find peace. Soldiers, poor people in the way of war pay the price. The great cities of Asia and Africa are being destroyed. Millions are homeless. My wish for Christmas is we learn to send food, water and medicine. Begin the world healing.

[Cryingkate]

I heard that was done, however certain ones put up blocks barricades and cut off roads so it couldn't get through.

[ice]

Mercy, this is good..

*"...Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress."

Heart, Face, Form, dress...

* William Blake knew your kind, and he wrote about it.

He knew your kind would always be around, and knew you would write
well about the lack of "mercy, pity, peace, and love" and do something about it in your life.

Sad, but ended well
enjoyed
ice

[Dakota]

Mercy for those who have seen war always has and always will be very far between and fleeting. Society wonders why those men think all they really have is each other, but society likes to forget how they treat them. You did a great job putting all of that into words. Great work as usual my friend.

[Magdelena]

Coyote no matter what i read from you it always stops and amazes me and I can't help but think that this man is one of the greatest! You have such a rare talent my friend. One that few posses, to get into the minds and thoughts of all that read your words.. Once again you have taken me to a place within your mind and i have become lost with each and every word that ran across my eyes..

How sad, yet how wonderful that I had the chance to look upon this.

Thank you for sharing
Mags xx

[Greg Close]

Such a simple tale, but full of meaning. The truth is funny like that. Symbolism of running into the sea and washing off sins/coming back a changed man is a powerful one, too. It's easy to write a story that glorifies war. It's tougher to honor peace.

[Peony]

So sad, yet so very true...

[Undying Glory]

man this was so powerful work! about time i reviewed more of yours, methinks. and i agree, mercy truly is one of the greatest gifts we can bless each other with! you know this was also deeply touching but simultaneously sobering work too, as we are reminded of what we humans are capable of doing to each other.
"There's too many men, too many people
Making too many problems,
And there's not much love to go round,
Can't you see this is a land of confusion..."
- "Land Of Confusion" by Genesis (Later covered by Disturbed)
awesome write!!

[Tenielle Mathews]

This was such a piece that somehow had the blunt force of a reality face by so many around the globe and the pearly shine of a dreamscape. Very well done.

[littlelilypurplebride]

Oh i rember how sad yet such heartfelt story this is love this still last line makes me cry.

Thank you for your lovely review
god bless lily

[Kelsie Eileen Stark]

Very sad...true- alot of men and women from war have dreams like this...it's always nice to have someone to listen and talk too.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Sad, but touching story! What a great friend!