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.

[Cherry Blossom]

wow i want to get your story out so its going into my library because this is a must read for real

[De'Andre]

...... This poem is real deep, sad. but so true. War can really turn some of the toughest inside out. The way the emotion is drawn out makes feel like i was there. Great write.

[Quaddeth]

I read this as an epic poetry piece and it definately worked. Theres somthing rhythmic about it that seems to work. As for the plot, theres something indefinately saddening about a troubled man, the guilty man. As the saying goes, a troubled soldier always loses the war. A great piece, thanks for the read.

[Ladysue]

This was such a compassionate story. It refreshes my faith in the kindness of human beings...a sad but beautiful story of what one person can mean to another...it brought tears to my eyes...such a strong emotional piece...excellent writing...

[Star Wolf]

Very emotional, your story brought tears to my eyes. How kind you were in being there for this man and probably saving his life. What a wonderful story to share. Thank you.

[FireF_L_Y]

pretty sure the grammar was off for a realistic touch when they were drunk...., LOVE IT.

[Desert Dreamer]

Such a big heart you have, your story brought tears to my eyes...you are a kind person, a healer...

[Ice QueenJen]

This is a sad but true tale of what the war can do to a person. A soldier just home from Iraq shot another from what has been determined to be Post traumatic stress syndrome. And one of my daughters is getting to work in the VA hospital in LA, where she will be working with injured soldiers. You should post this on facebook if you have a profile there. War is hell, and like you said nobody really wins!

[little lily Bride of Ch..]

amazing story the war can do this to many very sad but beautiful my father in law was in the navy he fixed planes
you captured this well Bravo. thank you for sharing