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.

[mandy]

a powerful poem,,,,what beauty a proffered hand in friendship, the willingness to help heal another being, whether body or spirit. good work

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goe..]

this is so touching...

and the lines

"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."

show such depth in your imagery and wording- very well done!

[Lover Of Words]

This is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Valentine]

This so reminds me of some of the stories my older brother told me and my dad after he came back from war..I talked to his wife years later and he had never told her any of those stories..he held them in..he was tortdured for a long time with guilt feelings..Wish he would of had help. Valentine

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i too was swept up in this story...and yes, war is never good, and doesn't really serve legitimate purpose....i had several friends who went to Nam...almost went myself...they came back different...
the nightmares, the mistrust of country, government, even friends.

you paint the picture well with your description and dialogue...

what threw me off in this, but could be remedied fairly easily is the constantly random tense switching...i suggest keeping it in past tense throughout---then we can just concentrate on the fine, emotionally gut wrenching story, rather than being distracted and paying too much attention to the grammar...

you really bring this character to life.

jacob

[Mary]

mercy, such a gift mercy is. a most healing gift. I am adding this to my favorites. I do not know the pain of the man in the story, but I do understand mercy. This story will haunt me, comfort me, inspire me, and grant me mercy. Thank you for this story, Coyote.

[The Analog Kid]

Brother Coyote,

You are a true gentleman that cares for his fellow man. You have seen the ravages of war. I can actually picture scene you wrote about.

[BIIKAY]

A STUNNING PEICE OF WORK, I CAN TELL YOU PUT ALOT OF EFFORT INTO IT!!!

[BIIKAY]

NOT BC OF THE LENGTH BUT BECAUSE OF THE MEANING OF THE LENGTH

[Coyote Poetry]

It is a real story. Was hard to write. Brought back memories of the past. The past teaches us to appreciate today. Thank you for reading.

[Caradoc]

This is beautiful. This is the thing we need more of in the world we live in. So many hurts could be soothed if more people in the world were willing to show a little mercy to one another.

Amazing. If the narrator is you, Coyote, you're a hero. If not, you're still one for sharing this with us. Because sometimes all it takes to be a hero is to speak out.

-Caradoc

[Mia]

I'm going to comment, not because I have anything insightful or significant to say. It is simply because I have to be a part of this. There are no words. The fact this is a true story takes it from a wonderful piece of writing to out of this world. Thank you for sharing this with us and I hope you know I sincerely mean this!