Remembering a good friend. Lost to war. The Wildflowers.

I understand why we protect the wildflowers now.

Donald N. Davis Obituary

(Apostcard that Donald N. Davis wrote to his wife Linda”s coworkers arrived just hours after they got word of his death. In it, he thanked them for a care package of Kool-Aid, gum and snacks. Then he added a P.S.: “Take good care of Linda, she”s one of a kind.” Davis, 42, of Saginaw, Mich., died Aug. 24 when a tractor and a tanker trailer rolled over an embankment. He was based in Zanesville, Ohio. The father of two teenage girls, Davis had been in Iraq since late last year. “He was a very dedicated family man,” his brother Alan Davis said. “Whatever it took to make kids happy, he did it.” Davis came from a military family and enlisted after graduating from high school. His father, Bill Davis, is a veteran, as are many of his siblings. “We are a very patriotic family that believes in serving in the military,” Alan Davis said. “We may not be the best Americans, but we believe we”re good Americans.”)

A Poem by Coyote Poetry

 Wildflowers are protected in Michigan. Took me years to understand why. I lost a good friend to war in August 2004. He was part of my family and I was a part of his family. 

                 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 grave.
I came to tell him that, I was alright.

His death broke me down.
I quit war and I went home; he went to war alone.

We were comrades in many battles for 12 years.
Raised our children together and
he joined the National Guard, and I was tired of war.

The howling storms of war.
Took my friend on three tours in Iraq.
A roll-over in Iraq took a father of two beautiful girl.
On his 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 oldest 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 and I will join you at the Soldier’s table soon.”

                            Coyote
                     John Castellenas
                       2013