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

[Aristede Craig Jr]

salute respect light and love

[Nia Hope]

Amazing write and I definitely admire you for being able too pull a memory like this out of a dark place in your mind. I wouldn't have been able to do something like that. Again amazing write and even though you've never met me if you need someone to talk to I'm here :)

[icelandicblue]

Oh god BR, I know it sounds weak but I felt like I was there. I cannot imagine the horror or the burden but I can imagine you writing this piece with tears in your eyes, your heart darkened by the memory and the experience. You bring the horror to our doorsteps and you deserve that we read it, feel it and not look away. I am sorry is just so damn anemic but I will say it anyway. I am truly sorry for your friend and for you, for you have been chosen to carry the burden but also to tell the story.You make us look into the face of the horror of war and the carnage in its aftermath. I am moved to the point of immobility. My heart goes out to you because the pain of writing this must have been excruciating.

[icelandicblue]

I don't know if you read much about the war or the soldiers who come back but I listened to a review of this book called Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk- it's fiction but it was written by someone who was there. Everything i say on this subject just feels lame but i thought of you as I listened to this interview.

[Chris]

Semper Fi Mark... blessed Be