Personal Price for Peace

The loss not only of my bunk mate and the soldiers in my company. The guilt of survival, the guilt of watching men kill untold women and children in Villages. I never did kill anyone I couldn't, but I stood by silently with my head down and did nothing! My poem tells you all you need to know:

Once a soldier cried out for peace
His voice was little and he felt weak
Go to fight communism they said
His bunk mate took a bullet in his head
All around the area in Vietnam they patrolled
For months they did what they were told
Heads and bodies once vibrant and strong
Were dead , bent or broken in throngs
257 in company E
21 left for all to see
Home and confused that nothing was done
My people treated me like scum
For the destruction of villages of women and children
Ashamed I went hidden and never looked up again
There is no answer to an old man's war
Stay home make peace and try some more
finally today my son joined the Peace Corp
He will try to rectify my sins
His love and my peace are finally a win!
The work I do today in no way pays
But I try to atone and will the rest of my days
As I hear poverty sticken children play
My head is finally raised!!
Joe Michael Solomon

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Douglas 'Ou-ee-ii-jay-ii' Jack on August 9, 2009 at 4:46am

Thanks DK and Joe-Michael,
for having me in this conversation. I appreciate from the experiences that you have both had with war and through family, for your understanding of life in tense threatening crisis modes. I count my lucky stars to have won the lottery of living on a continent, which may cause, organise and arm wars elsewhere, but nevertheless without the turmoil, I have increased opportunity to make a contribution for peace. Trouble is that foreign economies lay foundations for war on people who have very little to do with their own demise. I know from people I've met that; the morality of legalised murder has impacts on our whole culture as well as being transferred as thought patterns and unconscious emotions over generations.

Permalink Reply by Joe Michael Solomon on August 9, 2009 at 5:29am

Indeed. Sometines it can take several generations to eliviate the ravages of a war torn country. Sometimes longer.. I just refuse to belive that it can't happen. It is killing and it is legalized murder that soldiers live with. But are they guilty of murder . Or as in my case an accessory to murder and destruction. I watched and did nothing am I any less guilty of murder? Does one have put themselves in front of bullet to be inocent!? I don't know Douglas do you?
The point of my group is to discuss how this type of event in ones life can be a motivator for peace. i stand the test then as I work very hard for peace. Not enough people do sadly!
Joe Michael

Permalink Reply by Douglas 'Ou-ee-ii-jay-ii' Jack on August 9, 2009 at 7:07pm

I don't know either. I appreciate the honesty you've brought to this discussion and as I read about your work, the way you act to make this honesty real, you are creating a multiplier allowing homeless and others to be part of the solution. Your experience and honesty are the rare combination needed to solve humanity's dilemma. One doesn't have to put oneself in front of a bulltet in fact we take confidence that loving ourselves is the same as loving each other and the world. I'm glad to be working in my corner of the world knowing that people like yourself are changing the paradigm. We both walk the line and feel the tension of uniting this world. This tension is part of what I refer to as the emotion we live with, our bodies giving us a tangible indication for the enormity or importance of it all for holding the line in our time..

Permalink Reply by Joe Michael Solomon on August 9, 2009 at 7:14pm

You over rate my small contribution!!! but thank you! Your intelect, allows for you to generously recieve all kinds of discourse , and actions to help you determine," humanity's dilemma" I love to read your words and brillience. Thanks for your interest!

Permalink Reply by Joe Michael Solomon on August 10, 2009 at 8:33am

In my darkest hour my mother came to me in a vision
The words she spoke resenate to me now and forever
"Get moving my son, do what you can't do every day"
Just because you can do that, quit never
Do this always wether you want to or not
Make people lift their heads as I am lifting yours
Help them have an opportunity to have pride in themselves
Do this and your children will have peace and understand their cause"

Permalink Reply by Douglas 'Ou-ee-ii-jay-ii' Jack on August 11, 2009 at 5:28am

Thanks for these words from your mother, "Get moving my son, do what you can't do every day". These words reaffirm my own commitment and sense of urgency to bring the balance needed for the world.

Permalink Reply by Joe Michael Solomon on August 11, 2009 at 7:59am

I will semd your thanks to my Mom in spirit