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.

[Art Sun]

Sadly this is a realistic view of life for the many who have served to protect freedom...it is left to those who can still feel compassion to hold the very hand of those who cannot ...

nice work...

[Chantel]

You write such amazing stories....
This was my favorite part:

"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."

Amazing. Keep writing! :)

[Breezie Kae]

Wow. I love that this is successfully somewhere between a poem and a story. You don't see that done well very often. Very touching story.

[HorrorMaster]

Very good true story. Very sad also.

[RonnanTristan]

I love this story. The emotional aspect is very raw and moving. It affected me somehow as I think about the character's experience.

The story is short yet the message is very powerful.

War can change a MAN.

[Atheana Kylee-S. C.]

Aw, this so sad :')
Nice...

[Liza]

this was so heart felt and moving
your expressions have a way of allowing the reader to see someone else beyond the author's eyes into someone else's heart

[Dinesh Sairam]

I really came to know of the follies of war from the movie "Apocalypse now" (I hope you've seen it). It drives the soldiers insane. Their family, friends, simple pleasures and a normal life, all lost for the sake of nothing. Worse is, other innocent people get killed too. One of the best quotes from the movie is

"They teach young lads to drop fire on people, but they won't allow them to write 'f**k' on their airplane because it's obscene" (Marlon Brandon).

This story clearly depicts the mind of one of the victims. You sure have your way with words :) Keep writing.

[Norma M Sutton]

One place needs changing
"We have been lies to. You mean lied to.

[Zackery Alan Daley]

This is like a poery, or a stoem. It flows very well of the tongue and gives the story you are telling a very poetic sense to it. The paragraph organization contributes to this feeling and also gives it a little more real and grit. Very good write, a talented piece that should be spread. Again well done I just can't stop scrolling up and picking up more great vibes in an intense way.

-Zacky D.