Shadows

We can't escape the bad or the good done in a life.

 





























Shadows
 
My sister told me. "You  have changed. "
She told me. "You saw too much s**t and your mind and eyes are cold.."
 
I told her,.
"War isn't personal.
You do what you are told. Try to forget and move on"
 
 I kissed her forehead.
I told her. "War was easy.
This world falling apart around me.
I don't know what to do.?
That the crazy s**t I don't understand."
 
Up in the morning before five.
We don't need no sunshine.
 Organization, discipline, three  square meals a day.
 Old SGT. say. "It will be all OK."
 
Young boss at work asked me too many questions.
 I told  him it is not for him to understand.
 
When you stand tall at attention. Salute a M-16, boots and helmet of a dead soldier.
You join a club.
The soldiers that lived must carry on with their buddies stories and memories.
Drink a beer on the day of their friends death. Can't allow them to be forgotten.
.
 
Lying on cold ground.
 Waiting for a hidden enemies.
 You slapped your magazine to insure it is loaded right.
 You light up a cigarette and hope all things will be alright.
 
Going to Iraq with my gun.
Going to kill some Iraqi sons.
 
 Generals sent Division of soldiers.
Names don't matter.
Reaching for more stars.
 
Mama and Papa sit by the phones.
Wife and family pray for the day their soldier come home safe and sound.
 
Soldiers talk about kids and woman.
Takes up most of our time.
 
No-one talks of dying.
 Ain't no race or religion.
 Protect your friend back and he watched your back.
 
Soldier do right and wrong things.
A lucky man can walk away from  all the s**t and forget.
 
The shadow of war find you one day.
 
 I stood with  a mother of my friend killed in Iraq.
  She  held me up.
 I saluted her son's gravestone.
 
I go to the corner bar with other Veterans.
Drink to friends not here and missed.

Maybe baby sister is right.
The shadows are always with me.
 
                                   COYOTE
                        

Author's Note

Old poem. Soldiers must insure the old one's are took care of. One day we will be the old one's. Any mistakes. Please assist.

Reviews

[E.H. Monroe]

we have this vision of what happens "over there". then the folks "over there" come back here, we throw a parade and then tell em to f**k off because we have better things to do. The war against the enemy is just a war against people who were raised by different fathers and mothers, different gods and rules.
and that creeping shadow of war..s**t man i dont even know that f****r..but i know guys and gals who do, and he is a rancid drinking buddy who runs his fingers down a scar on his face and reminds you you havent seen the s**t like he has. well f**k him.
never any mistakes in a coyote piece...just reality that makes real go...damn that s**t is real.

i salute you sir

[Crow]

The ghosts we soldiers of the past present and future must face seemingly haunt us until our dying days. The wars, places and weapons change, however the greatest change is to ourselves. What lies we must tell ourselves to live with what we've seen.

Excellent piece my friend.

[Susanna F]

Thank you for this brief glimpse into the life of a soldier. My brother is back from Afghanistan, and I am so proud, and will always be, but how can I ever know how it feels? Even a glimpse is a gift.

[Dark Beauty]

Wonderful and powerful piece,it flowed well !

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

Interesting information about our soldiers..I know that they are left with stresses from serving in war time so are left with haunting feelings more that others..Enjoyed reading your story..Sunflower

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

I don't think anyone's life is ever the same after war......you have penned this well coyote.

I love this poem wich is older... Old poems are mostly the best.... they capture a story of the past, and can be reborn. I love your lines: " No-one talks of dying. Ain't no race or religion. Protect your friend back and he watched your back". It's true grace, you feel for eachother on the field. True honor in some way, and loyalty too. I loved every word, you told in here. This is a true story you are telling, and I felt it till the bone. Thank you Coyote, Excellent write.

~ Elisa Laura

[Morning Star]

Truer words were never written " war isn't personal "
Thank you for serving and protecting our country
This poem brings tears to the reader ( me ) eyes
as i read your words and yes i think your baby sister
is correct shadows will always be with you
God bless you and yours
Your words capture emotions, beautifully written
Excellent write

[Matthew Bass]

Minus a couple of tiny grammatical errors this is Excellent work. I used to be in the marines and reading this reminded me of old feelings that I have felt

[A Soap Mess Stories]

God bless you for serving our country...my heart goes to those who serve and give their lives for this country...

[Dayran]

A fighting man can never be put in a position of being less than the full dignity intended by nature. It doesn't matter what politicians do or whether people forget. A fighting man knows, lying on the soft mud, waiting for the other side - he knew he was ready to meet his maker that day, if he had to. He can always carry that with pride, the rest of his life. He will never be afraid again.