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.

[Elwina]

You have witnessed some very painful moments. Your testimony is a beautiful and important thing. Such a sad story, still full of hope. Only Love can help us raise from this kind of pain. The ocean is such a healing place. A deeply touching story.
Thank you for sharing.

[Wicahpi]

Wow, what kindness you've shown along your journey.
I think you were his angel and how grateful he must have been!
With so many dying by suicide, you can see that there is a need
for more souls like you to just reach out !! Kudos!!

[Crow]

Awesome, brings an indescribable warmth to my spirit...thank you for sharing such a wonderful story.

[Summer Blue]

Wow! So very very true! Great story!

[BoSweets]

I love this story. Thanks Peace BoSweets

[Robert]

this is a great short story, the thing that i love about your writing is that it shows us a side to the army that we dont really see. the story here is very rich with alot of feeling, and im sure to our soliders feelings that are very firmilar. the way you tell the story is also interesting, however i would have liked to have read more into the story and seen more detail and structure. i did find the point of the story to hit home right where it needed to, which leaves it going either way.

[Helen Crutchett]

Bless you for writing this real account of yours and reminding us of the complete devasation and waste that war causes to all involved, as well as to families that have to pick up, best they can the collateral damage. What a blessing to have been with that poor man and reaching out and giving him the courage to continue on. Bravo Coyote! An outstanding and unforgettable poem.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Wow what an inspiring story of selflessness, not to mentions shows just how useless wars are, all they do is play mind games with those who survive. When will man learn that violence only breeds more violence.

[Sweet_pale_cacophony]

The empathy woven into your years of growth and learning always show in your wise and honest words.

[Tapsi]

it hangs beautifully between a poem and a story.....making it all the more graceful .....what i like is your tendency to put everything straight into words and not mince them. the story is extremely apt....

luv your work

tapsi :)