49 lines

We ran you out of the building 

Threw you into a Humvee 

Drove you out of the city 

Into the desert

Where the medivac could land 

They were trying to shoot it down 

So the pilot wouldn't land 

Ryan was screaming into the radio 

We'll suppress their fire

 so land m**********r 

The round went through your throat 

You were bleeding out fast 

TJ was holding pressure to your wound

Me and Kuala were providing cover fire 

We didn't know where they were 

So we fired back into the city 

At ghosts and shadows 

Everyone else was back at the two buildings

Waiting for the airstrike they were to close to 

That the Lieutenant called in all the same 

Because they were pinned down by heavy fire

and were getting chewed up bad 

It was a f*****g miracle 

We got you out into the open

Without getting hit ourselves

The Medivac finally landed

You looked really bad 

White, ashen, sunken

Your eyes drifting away

I knew what that meant 

You died on the Medivac deck

I remember when I heard 

 a knife went through my chest

     I have never pulled out 

Why was it you 

and not me 

I'll never know 

Just fate I guess

But that's not good enough

 I'll never forget that day 

because I can't 

and I won't

Some things need to be carried 

Carried to the grave

Where you went

On that day 

Goodbye Marine 

My heart will always ache 

Over you 

 

Reviews

[Rita L. Sev]

Your poem vividly brings us there, though I cannot imagine how hard this experience was. You will never forget... and now, I will not forget. Your writing opens eyes and minds, Mark...

[Pryde Foltz]

No we should never forget and a lot more people need to understand … Great writing.

Typo alert on this line with to close. Waiting for the airstrike they were to close to

[MsJewel]

I can't even begin to imagine the horror you survived and the memories of losing those around you. Your poem touches my heart BR.

:) Julie

[Marie]

I'm Sorry, Baby R. I've lost so many people, and there never seems to be closure. Eventually we have to let the go.+..

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

The touching and rather delicate sentiment, mixed with the horrific helplessness and surround by terror and war, leaves one feeling perplexed, emotional, drawn and extremely humbled, well done, great read BR.

[Vidya Bacchus]

I have no words.This touched my heart deeply,who is to say why one person lives and another dies.Then those who are left behind have to deal with living.(said a lot for a person who had no words huh)I hope you feel better my friend maybe writing it down will help.

[Frieda P]

Fate is a fickle lass...heart wrenching read Baby.

[Troy Henson]

No one will ever be able to say they know how you feel. This piece is a powerful release and I hope writing it down has provided some sort of release for you. You are a brave person and I applaud you for sharing my friend.

Regards

[Inda]

Powerful stuff, can't even imagine what you felt and still do. Thanks for sharing this, im sure it not easy to post.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

can't imagine even, what that is like to go through...but this write bares the soul of a soldier and conveys such a strong feeling to the reader that you get us there with you...amazing.

jacob