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.

[JENY]

It is very touching…
An outstanding story….

[Poetic Beauty]

I love this story. It is a part of Army life that civilians don't see or experience. It shows how war affect everyone. It is sad but happy at the end.

This is wonderful, I love it.

So sad, heartbreaking.

I can't stop reading it.

[Anthony M Smith Jr]

I enjoyed these words and good to know you are a caring person. A true warrior!
Life and Light!
TT-TTO-NI-K
Elk

[Dark Angel]

... So many people live a life of misery because of what they were forced to do in the military... My grandpa had post traumatic stress syndrome when he came back and he was never the same. He couldn't get out of the constant replay of all the people he had killed and all the people he had seen killed. He died a very lonely and sad death with no family members around and no friends... I'm glad some people found peace.

[Shannon]

I am in love with this short story. It shows what the friendship of one person can do; amazing story.

[bluessadmood]

How i see it my friend..if just some would open their eyes
what have all the wars ever accomplished..just killings and more killings
sufferings to no end..how i understand you my friend..everyday i see this misery
till this day..is there ever no end..but who can you turn to or speak
its in the hands of the strong and not the weak..they can end it all
and sing of peace..but still they tell of great glories they defend
i think its endless chains of lies ,everyone now could see
war is a great treasure for them lots of money and power
who will look for the misery some millions of the weak do suffer
let them suffer ,let them die ,who cares..they never count ,on their scale
one day all will show up ,,all will come to the open ..i could very well see
lovely write..

[An owl on the moon]

There is such a powerful voice that echoes beyond all the pain.. overwhelming sorrow and agony at all that war leaves behind.. and here you lift us up.. show us what humanity is all about.. what we should be.. Here you give us mercy and grace.. only that can heal those wounds too deep to see. Sitting silent now..

[Ryan Falzon - Tymon]

Beautiful.

[emmajoy]

I cry.

All human kind is sacrificed to war, it's hell on earth.

If war solves problems, why have there been so many? Are we going to go on fighting wars until our planet's blown into smithereens?

Why are we given brains and the means of speech - to discuss, to reason, to compromise - or slaughter innocents for whatever the going price of the day is?

Sorry, I vent ..

Your heart is true, your writing is magnificent.