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.

[Barbara Walker]

Here we have another example of how people come into our lives for a reason, a short period of time or a long period of time, the love and lessons are given and received, if we are lucky. This man was fortunate that you were so open to his pain and need. and I'm sure you both got some healing out of your relationship. A heart-felt story. Enjoyed reading, Johnnie.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did. I believe Soldiers can help another Soldier. You must understand their journey. Thank you for reading and the comment my friend.

[Barbara Walker]

Your most welcome.

[Emily]

This poem has such a soulful reality to it. It truly gives light to what soldiers go through every day. This just went straight through my heart, Coyote. I hope you are still friends with this man.

[Coyote Poetry]

I lost him. I believe he needed to escape from the Army as far as possible. This is old poetry. No internet or cell phones yet. I was helped also. Soldier must help other soldiers. Just like a cancer survivor is the wisest helper for another person with cancer in need. We need to understand the pain to help. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Emily]

I'm sorry to hear that. You are right, people who have been in similar situations should help others who are in need.

[Zahra]

Touching story, you're an awesome storyteller Coyote. Great

[Coyote Poetry]

Real life allowed us to write the truth. Sometime the truth is hard and cold. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[FlamingPhoenix]

This is a beautifully well-done heart wrenching story and I have heard so many. Thank you for sharing!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[YouoweYoupay]

My eyes filled with tears. Because 'Mercy' is a very beautiful word. My dear Coyote, you have quite a way with authentic, pure human emotions; simply described, and yet deeply etched into a reader's mind. But you don't hurt me when you engrave your war stories beneath my skin, your words sink softly and steadily and they tell me the true wishes of the human kind. To ask for forgiveness. To forgive. We wish for merciful deaths that would not crush our breath on the way towards God. Thank you for sharing with us. I can sleep more peacefully tonight after reading your story. Please keep writing.

-Rain.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Rain. War don't leave pictures of beauty. We must find beauty in real life and try to escape the bad day. Ain't easy for some folks.

[cartera]

Read and learn folks. Read and learn.

[Muhammad Moosa]

It seems that death is the easy way out. Ending your pain and sorrow by ending your life is not a noble cause, for this story taught me that facing your life and past is much better. Endowing kindness and mercy onto a man can heal many scars.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. With death you will never know what you could of done and missed. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Louvegrise14]

Great poem emphasizing the horrors of war, and especially the psychological effects on those who fight in it and witness unspeakable things. Enjoyed :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. All of us need some sort of mercy.

[anxia]

I can't bear the thought of war. NO matter how much hailed as the heros of nation, soldiers don't get the plausible love and assuagement In the direst of junctures. They need it more than we think. And You sir, have done the tremendous deed of understanding the young fellow in the story, showing mercy.