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.

[anne p. murray- LadeeAn..]

I'm speechless with the the delicate balance of humanity you write about in this (I'm sure true story, ranging from love and compassion, to a sense of obligation from the shared comraderie of having been companionship of soldiers in war; any war any soldier. The gift of shared mercy and empathy magnetized with a huge penchant of mercy; love in it's purest form.
A purely magnificent piece of writing; thank you so much for sharing your story with us.

[bbb]

Wow! For being as brief as this is, it sure sends a powerful message. It may say different things to different people. To me it says that despite all the evil that men commit, despite the flawed nature of humanity, there is another nature. There is that too rarely seen gift of mercy that still remains...and as long as it remains, so does hope.

[Blue Moon Ice Cream]

This was captivating. I felt myself getting chills as I read it. In some places, it's a little choppy, but it doesn't really matter when the words are so gripping.

[quinfinn]

this is a powerful message . coyote, i'm very familiar with virginia beach, many times i have been there, for i lived in portsmouth for over 30 years. i love this poem...
it is truly empathy personified and you have written humanity in a magical sense.
outstanding! i would like very much to know you in life, face to face. this poem made me want to have drinks with you and listen to your stories. solid write, my brother...

[Judy Ponceby]

Brilliant tragic inspiring write. You have a great way of reaching out to people Coyote. And what a gift to the young man you write about. To help him find his life again. Such a touching and soul wrenching story. Your lesson is well given and heard.

[Ecnelis]

This was beautiful. It was journey that gripped me powerfully and wouldn't let me go! It was sad and the opening stanza was haunting. Truthfully, from the opening to the end, it was all haunting.

Stanza fourteen was probably my favorite. The image was vivid and it was emotionally packed!

This is the type of poem you read and have to reread over and over and it stays with you for a long time. I can feel it sitting at the bottom of my stomach. Great job.

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[nishantshah2381]

I like the way u can keep on writing on the subject

Lovely usage of words

[Theresa C Newbill]

The word mercy used here, indicates a state of being in its purest form. to me, it's the personification of total love. Mercy restores balance and harmony, restores health, well being, and is found in true heroes, in true warriors. Well done. Well written.

[lawrence bear]

a strong truthful piece, without you entering into his life, that shadow he was hiding in may have over took his weeping soul. I have not been to war nor seen the blood run like streams. I do know the battle of a weeping soul, searching for a light in the storm, it is the power of love and friendship that pulls us through when we ourselves feels its to late. It is Mercy that we see a helping hand. Thank you for sharing.

bear