Not That Man

"I was a warrior who dreamed he could bring peace. But eventually, you always have to wake up." ~Jake Sully, from Avatar

There comes a time
When the world
Is at
Peace.
When a man
Clad in uniform
With a gun on his
Shoulder
Never has to fire it.
When a soldier
Is one of ornament
And status.

I am not that man.

I am the man
On the
Frontline,
Panting, sweat running
Into my eyes,
Shooting
And screaming
And afraid.

I am the medic,
The nurse sponging
A man's forehead,
Knowing that his
Eyes, glazed with pain,
Will soon close
Forever.

I am the general,
Sending his troops
To the bloody chaos of
War,
Knowing many will never
Return.

I am the mother,
Shrieking out an
Agonized call,
The letter before me
Telling of my child's death
Stained with my tears.

I am the sacrifice.

I am the warrior
Who fought and died
So that one day
We may know
Peace.

Author's Note

No "duuuuh, you're not a man" comments, please?

Reviews

[Legacy]

Myth,

To be perfectly honest and clear, your gender not being the subject here, "Not That Man" was an eye opening, thought provoking, sentimental piece.

Marching forward throughout your poem, the reader is confronted with wartime - in our face, we have not a choice yet to remember every war fought on our behalf that we seemingly overlook as time scratches the surface.

During wartime our soldiers time is halted... the place or face they remember leaving behind is an expected site when returning from their long journey home.

When arriving home be-it Home or Heaven our family awaits with open arms and kisses warm.

We are these men - no matter gender or color, religion or creed, bearing this reminder we should all.

The poem above is an 'in your face' reminder we should all read and bear witness to, for we are these men and should respect and bear memory. They are the bringers of peace whose place is so violent we could not fathom what dwells beneath.

Thank you for my NINE ELEVEN wake up call.

Great Job,

Legacy

P.S.
This should be an entry into the Poetic Infusion Society's contest - Enlightenment. This is if you have not yet submitted to one.