Just men

In 1978. I'm at a German Guesthaus. Drinking with a Russian soldier, A German Soldier and me.

 
                                    



 






















                   Just men


A large Russian man came to me. He gave me a hug. Told me. "We will drink together.
We drink my country drink." He ordered a double shot of vodka for the both of us.
He raised the glass and yelled loudly. "To peace. To beautiful woman. To Russian. To the USA."  We touched glasses and we drank the vodka.

I looked into the eyes of the man.  He spoke with energy and of life. He was supposed to be my enemy. I ordered another double shot of vodka. I toast "To long life. To love. To the end of war." We touched glasses and drank the vodka.

He put his arm around me. Spoke quietly. "Someday we will learn, learn we are all the same. We want a little love, some land and family. That is what most men desire."

My German friend joined us. He asked if I was alright? The Russian smiled and told the barkeep three double shots of vodka please in perfect German. We sat together at the back of the Guesthaus singing songs of our native countries. Just three men trying to find a moment of laughter and peace.

The Russian man had a wallet filled with pictures. He had a story for every picture. We listened and drank German beers. My German friend ordered some whiskey. We toasted and begin to sing. "If I was the king of the forest. I would allow the land to be free of hate. Woman to be many and easy. War to be a forgotten myth."

We are  drunk now. The Russian man took my hand and told me. "I'm a Soldier. I may have to kill you one day in battle. Kill you for my great country."
I raised a fresh drink. I smiled and told him."To life. To death. To hell with those foolish government. We need to be just men."

My German friend told us. "We are led by rich men who profit in death. We must knock down the wall of hate. Be better then our father hate. Need to stop wars so the children can live with no fear and hate always near. We are all flesh and bones. Can be killed by a gun of knife with ease. I hope we fight for reason and purpose?"

I ordered more vodka. We drank the double shot down quickly.  I told my two Soldier friends. "I believe only sin that can't be forgotten is teaching the children our fears and hate. Destroying innocent minds and hearts to be raised in a world filled with chaos and war."

We sang a Martin Luther song. We are joined by more young Germans. "We will overcome. We will overcome someday. Deep in my heart. I do believe. We will overcome someday." We were three drunk men. Three different lives, not so different. We wanted a moment of peace. The Russian man buys the last round. We are joined by three pretty German girls.

He toasted" To peace, to luck and to the end of war and violence." Then in a quiet voice he told us. " We need all people to demand the wars to end. Before it is too late. Before we kill all that is beautiful and good."

We left the Guesthaus. Three men with three young woman sitting on the park bench.
We shared some bottles of good German wine.  We sat in silence till the morning sun begin to appear.

The Russian reached over taking the German friend and my hand. "Life is to be lived.  We must dance and sing and wait for the Devil to finish us off." He took one of the pretty German girls and started to dance with her by the lake. Me and the German friend do the same. Three couples dancing, drinking and not afraid to be alive.
 
Best days in a life are simple and easy. Back in the Spring of 1978. Youth was my wealth and all dreams were in reach. I remember this good day. Three men tried to understand life and didn't allow the hate or fear to block that we were "Just men."


                              Coyote
                              1978

Author's Note

I wrote this in 1978. The Cold war was on. We were more confused then why we dislike Russian. Like today. Truth must come from looking hard at the liars in charge of this government. A wise person thinks before create hate and fear.

Reviews

[Amanda]

I totally agree with you. America has been following a corrupt government into numerous wars for a long time. I think people are finally starting to see that the will of the people is being overshadowed by the will of a money-starved government. The people we have in office are too afraid to act in good conscience because lobbyists have them by the throat. So much greed. So much corruption. We don't kill for freedom anymore. We kill for oil. And while I stand behind my country and love it, it makes me sad to think that the people we have chosen to lead it have sacrificed their ethics for the sake of power and money. But I ramble. Wonderful write.

[Elizabeth]

I love this... three soldiers who have every reason to hate each other. And yet, they are bonded by that which makes them the same. Beautiful.

[BloodyRabbit]

a beautiful and touching story... love it :]

[RidingTheWind]

Beautiful story, and I love the message behind it.

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

Always enjoy your stories and they teach lessons .
This is a good one, Coyote.
Sorry this is short on my way to work.

Chloe

[Holly O'Brien]

What a beautiful and touching story. A wonderful segment from your life. There is a lot of hate in this world but it is good to know that a lot of love exists as well :)

[CookieMonster♥&h..]

thats good:)

[Siddhartha]

Oh! the joy and unbridled happiness, even if ephemeral, surrounded by hate and suspicion.This has to be one of the most beautiful works ever. There is joy tinged with sadness and the urge to live life that is quietly slipping away. The present is all we have in our hands. It's better to live it to the hilt rather than speculate on a past that can't be undone and a future that is fraught with danger.

[emmajoy]

This is one of the best, finest, pieces of writing I've read about war, reason and human beings - whatever their nationality.

And the truth is, that's what life's about, that's what people want, not just in the past but the now and the future. It's not the ordinary man, woman and child who go to war, it's the leaders and their stand up comic governments who decide they should do this or that for whatever perverted reasons .. and to hell with the outcome - and, that's what it becomes, hell on earth. War is neither a pretty picture or a game with a whistle blowing to stop it.

Your three men knew a thing or two and your writing really got to me .. not for the first time. Brilliant.

[pluto]

Reminds me of a story in the first world war. christmas day. German and british troops in their trenches a hundred yards apart. They have been killing each other for many months, and will continue to do so for many more. But on this day they drop their weapons and meet in no man's land, shake hands, enjoy a moment of peace. They don't want to kill each other. But soon commanding officers take charge, and the next day they are killing each other. Always has been, always will be.

[Coffin Joe]

:')

...


....


Im thankful to be 20 years of age. Youth is a beautiful thing