Some places are sacred. Like wildflowers. “I understand why we protect the wildflowers now.”
I understand why we protect the wildflowers now.
A Poem by Coyote Poetry
Wildflowers are protected in Michigan. Took me years to understand why.
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 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 final 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 ensure you will not be forgotten.”
Coyote
John Castellenas
2013
There is always such beauty in your words!
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Thank you Eva. This poem took me many year to be able to write. Hard to lose good friends to war.
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Reblogged this on 21 Shades of Blue and commented:
“What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed in there, regardless. It wasn’t just about blood relations or shared chromosomes, but something wider, bigger. We had many families over time. Our family of origin, the family we created, and the groups you moved through while all of this was happening: friends, lovers, sometimes even strangers. None of them perfect, and we couldn’t expect them to be. You can’t make any one person your world. The trick was to take what each could give you and build your world from it.”
― Sarah Dessen, Lock and Key
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Touching!Good writing!
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Thank you Margaret.
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Is it true,if its not too rude of me to ask?The emotion was strikingly real!
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It is true. Most of what I write is true. Especially about the military. I spend 15 years in the Army. Made good friends. I like the military. No race or religion. Just men trying to survive.
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I am intimidated by the soldiers.Honestly,they get to defend the country we owe everything in our lives too.I understand it must be tough,tough and other words being incapable of defining what you face so bravely!
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Wasn’t always easy. I got help and I need to write the truth. Best book is called “About face’. Written by one of the finest soldiers. He became anti-war. Colonel Hachworth. It is worth reading.
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I sure will read it and tell you how I felt about it
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It is a big book, but worth reading.
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I am sure.If you say so,it must be!Will peruse it in time.
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I posted the story. Shadow of war. I couldn’t write till 6 years after his funeral.
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I feel you!My gran died earlier owing to cancer and I couldn’t write for six months.You lost your friend to gunshots and cannons and what not.I cannot begin to understand what you and his family must have felt and still feel.
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Grandmothers are very special. I was raised by dear grandparent. They cannot be forgotten. Best we can do is become like them. Today I hear my grandfather voice when I speak. I try to have a open door and be quiet. My Grandfather taught me. “Nothing good to say. Say nothing. Words and bad actions can cause permanent separation.”
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I would want nothing more than to be anything remotely like her but I am far from it.She saw eternal good in everyone but my belief system is shattered due to some people
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Can’t allow bad folks to kill hope and love.If we allow regret and disappointment take over. Are we the same as the people who shattered us?
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Hope not.Worst nightmare ever.Yet I might need a very patient person to make me believe in love.Nonetheless hope recoils in my heart!It is hard to diminish it.I have faith in myself and Creator! Even if people are deceptive with me
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Yourself and the Creator. A good balance for good life.
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☺Lets hope that it brings me closer to my destiny.
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My parents spoiled me while gran revived me a little.I am afraid she left me too soon!
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Best days are when we are pampers.
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😊Yes,growing up…hurts.Turning 21 next month yet seems I have learnt so less.other times it all seems overwhelming… Don’t know what is true!
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You are young. Truth will change many times. I told my four kids. Travel, test life and have fun before you work for 50 years. I was lucky. I re-joined the Army and saw the world. Don’t get boxed in. Have some fun and do what you enjoy.
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Intend to do just that,though couldnt do it till now because of social restrictions! Will do it when I stand on my own feet!
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Show me photos please. I wished I took more. I saw 40 countries and I have two books of photos only. This is sad. Sometime beautiful places are near. Can enjoy life with a tight budget.
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I live in Pakistan. If you would like,I would send you photos of my hometown in countryside next time I visit…?
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I would like them. Pakistan is a ancient place. I would to see the country. I did a lot of traveling in the Middle East. I loved the old construction and color.
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The urban area would amaze you.Its not so ancient,though the northern areas and countryside is divine in its simplicity.How can I share them though?
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I put photos on disc. You kids are lucky. You have phones. Just transfer to your computer, photos took with phone. I’m still old fashion. Get film developed and post with free disc.
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Middle East has more ancient architecture though.Share a piece of those trips with me too!☺
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You have so many and versatile too.I would like to see some of yours..
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I have a photo bucket. I took photos of life, war and the great cities. I will post some. Maybe tonight.
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You reminding me of dear john the novel,oddly.Probably because of the name and you being a soldier.Excuse my crudeness for mentioning that!
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I believed I saw the movie. I have three daughters. I get to watch the new movies wanting or not.
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😁I feel for you.But it must be fun though!
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Amen
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No words, John. I honestly have no words. This just goes too deep to even form words. (((HUGS))) Amy
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Thank you Amy. Good friend died on August 26th, 2006. I re-post the poem yearly. Make me remember a good friend and his family.
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Remembering is such sweet sorrow, John. I have a “few” of those moments in my life as well. (((HUGS))) Amy
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hmm a beautiful poem for a friend John. Yes the wildflowers warm the grave sites of soldiers who have fought and died. – so tragic
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The small towns are nice. Put their soldiers outside the small cities. Nice to have the Soldier final resting place near trees and wildflowers. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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Being a Midwestern Girl, the Prairie is my Cathedral. I can think, breathe and be — shucking off the trappings of the City.
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I agree. I live near the city. Country is close by. I need the forest and free land close. Thank you for stopping by.
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I like the idea that your Mate is residing in a place of beauty. I am sure he appreciates you taking a moment to breathe beside him.
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I went to his daughter graduation two years ago. Youngest daughter will be married this year. He would of been a Grandpa two times. I need to take his beer and show some respect soon. You are right.
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Wow, such a tribute to your brother, friend, father, soldier and so much more in being human to honor his life for others. Peace to him, his family and lovely daughters and peace to you as well.
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Thank you. You need to remember family and friends. War takes the best from us. Our young.
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