I understand why we protect the wildflowers now.
A path to the ocean.
English: Wildflowers, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I understand why we protect the wildflowers now.
I sit on the hill in the midst of a wildflower field.
Small flowers moving in the gentle breeze.
I sit at bay from a good friend’s grave.
I came to tell him that. I was alright.
His death broke me down.
I stayed home and he went to war alone.
We were comrades in many battles for 12 years.
Raised our children together.
He joined the National Guard and I was tire of war.
The howling storm of war.
Took my friend on three tours in Iraq.
A roll-over in Iraq took a father of two beautiful girl .
On the last journey.
I hear the leader’s telling me.
God is on our side.
This war is worth the blood of our men and woman.
I lay with the wildflowers.
Allowing them to take me to a better place.
I see my friend face. I remember his smile and can hear his laughter
when I close my eyes.
I know what he would tell me.
“What done is done. Take care of my babies and don’t cry for me.
I died for love, freedom and the untried. War is hell. Don’t let my
children forget how much I loved them.”
My friend loved the country.
He lived in a small town who cried a thousand tears for him at his funeral.
Now his grave is decorated with a bronze star and fresh flowers from his daughter.
I planted wildflowers seeds around his grave.
Drank two miller’s beer and left four for him.
I whispered to the wind. “Please take care of a good Soldier and friend.”
The wildflowers are dancing in the breeze.
I looked at the wildflowers, free and uncontrolled. I think it is good to be like a wildflower.
Never be locked in or forgotten.
I understand now why we protect the wildflowers.
I salute my friend’s grave.
Do a silence prayer and whisper.
“I will make sure you will not be forgotten.”
Coyote
John Castellenas
2013
This is wonderful, so moving.
Thank you for the comment. The wild flowers allow us to know real freedom still.
A loving tribute!
Thank you. We will have few real friends in a life.
Wildflowers are a wonderful symbol of Spirit …
this is breathtaking …..I always plant a tree, I think I will do more wildflowers
and send those whispers on the wind with them…
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful part of human spirit…
Take Care..
)0(
ladyblue
Thank you for the comments. Wildflowers make us remember we can’t control all things. We must be like the wildflower. Flow and not locked in place.
I have nominated you for the ‘Very Inspiring Blog Award.’ Please see http://jahnosecret.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/very-inspiring-blogger-award/ if you wish to participate. Peace, Michael
Thank you for the nomination. I appreciate.
Brilliant. I enjoy it.
Thank you for the comment. I do appreciate.
Much love and peace to you John..and to your dear friend in spirit
Thank you. Took me year to understand. My friend change my view on war. I was raised during the Vietnam war. I accepted war as norm. Today I write against it. War leave permanent scars on the people involved and the families left with flags and graves.
So very true John. I was just talking about this with some friends yesterday.
I didn’t allow my son to follow my foot steps to war. He went to college. I have two grand-boys. I don’t want them to go to war. Young people need to learn to love, travel and have fun. Not learn to kill. Thank you for the comment.
Most Welcome..you are a good role model to your sons and grandsons, they are lucky to have vyou
What a beautiful and moving tribute to a friend and fellow human being! The use of wildflowers in this poem makes it all the more touching. I think wildflowers remind us that life is too beautiful and varied like the human family to treat carelessly.
I agree. I like the wildflowers. They are free and no-one control them. They grow here in Michigan everywhere throughout the Spring and the Fall.
We go to war, because some one thinks it right and others want to prove them wrong.
You are correct. Good leaders can stop wars. War on policy need conversation. USA can’t fix all the problems of our world. Here in the USA we are special. We are a mix-up country of many races. We try to get along. The logic in the Middle East, African and Asia is different. They must fix themselves. U.N have tried. Old countries don’t like strangers with guns and different views on life. My step-father had the answer. The WW2 answer. To change a country. Must kill everybody and start over. I hope these days are over. It is still being used in Africa. Whole populations are being killed and moved. I pray for logic. In a world where murder is okay. It is a sad world.
Yes. It is sad .
So sad John. I’m sorry for your loss. War is futile and so many good men and women have lost their lives. Such a waste. Your poem is very moving.
I agree. No-one know why we are fighting today. Bush took this country to a bad place. We lost a lot of good men and woman to war.
That was deeply moving.
Thank you for the comment. I do appreciate.
I don’t know just what to say other than this is beautiful writing John, and God bless you and your fallen friend. I honor and respect him and his family. And you sir.
My friend is from your area. SSG. Donald N. Davis. I believe he is bury in the city graveyard for Soldiers near you. I saw the video. Whole city closed down. Thank you for the comment.
Hmm, I’m sorry I don’t know anything about him.