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.

[Tasha]

Wow, this was such an amazing story and I agree with you that we do need to stop wars because we are piercing young children into thinking that killing someone because they're different is ok when its not. Your words are spoken true, and from the heart. I loved this!!

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

This is a great tale. We are all Brothers. I loved the sentiment: "We want a little love, some land, and Family". That is Humanity right there.

A powerful story. Thank you.

[Awkward]

Great poem, and I agree 100% with you our government is beyond corrupt and hopefully people would pull their head out of their a*s and stand up for themselves!

[brenda]

amzing story and a wise person also thinks before they speak but it is a nice story you put good feeling in it. its good!:)

[Chris Smith Welshpoetcs]

Three souls united in the true spirit of friendship. Where there are no nations but men being together and loving life. Brilliant write my friend.

[Bryan Micheni]

Very very good... Tells of a live lived and ideals, man's wants in relation to humanity's woes and dynamics... Double thumbs up