Hero Of War

Eduardo Cuellar

Ms.Bennett

World Literature Honors

24,April 2014

 

                                                              Hero of war

  Inspired by the song Hero of War
 I sat by the fireplace the rain dripping down the window frame.My grandchildren dressed in black and grey dress shirts and dresses, had just arrived and asked me to tell them a story.I pondered about what I was story I was going to talk about.I pulled back my silvery white hair,grabbed a picture of my father before he was killed in action,I saw,his aqua eyes,dirty blond hair and rugged beard.I remembered that he had helped me find meaning to my life and I wanted to bring that to my grandchildren.The fireplace crackled while the rest of the family gathered around.With my cane I walked myself to the couch to begin.I remembered my fathers tender but firm voice and started from the last conversation we had before I lost him.I started

  He said son,have you seen the world? What would you say? If I said that you could.Just carry this gun you’ll even get paid.I said that sounds pretty good.Black leather boots,spit shined so bright,they cut off my hair,but it looks alright.Leafy green suits,and shining silver guns,strapped to my waist with a knife right at my thumb.We marched and we sang,we all became friends, as we learned how to care for and fight.I followed the rules of war.What my commander said was true.Semper fi and keep your brothers close to you.Yes more than once did you need a brother to comfort us.Every day we could die,but I'll die for my country's freedom with luck. A hero of war,yea thats what ill be,and when I come home,they'll be damn proud of me.Ill carry this flag,to the grave if I must,cause its the flag that I love and the flag that I trust.I kicked in the door,I yelled my commands.The children they cried,but I got my man.We took him away,bag over his face,from his family, his friends.They took off his cloths,they pissed in his hands,I told them to stop,but then I joined in.We beat him with guns and batons not just once but again and again.He called for help and cried.In a language I did not know to much.We got our intel,and he got left in the dust. A child with a whimper "Daddy please wake up".My commander he said,"Im sure he'll survive,if not then good luck" A hero of war,yea thats what ill be,im fighting for you,cause you're all a part of me,and with this flag,I planted it in dust,Ill show my home love, because its the flag that I love, and the flag that I trust.

She walked through bullets and haze I asked her to stop I begged her to stay But she pressed on So 
I lifted my gun And I fired away. The shells exploded through the smoke and into the sand That the blood now had soaked She collapsed, with a flag in her hand A flag white as snow. Textures that I see in her are red and lifeless to.The bullets had went through her clean,it looks like the more she touches the more she bleeds.Theres an iron smell of blood in the air and now I see it everywhere.Knees are weak hands are shaking. My grip loosens but never breaks.The lifeless body at my hands her death was because of my faith.My friends had always been there to break my fall,but now there all gone.Im an audience of one,alone.A tear drop dripped down my cheek.I just stared at the lifeless body.Her skin had become cold,pale and her heart stopped beating.We ran miles upon miles,hours upon hours across the death valley.With a thud I hit the ground.The body had hit the ground a child,and her older came at the door.They took the body but did not shed a  single tear.Filled with sorrow I said “I was afraid and didn't know what to do” with a soft accent they responded “It happens to everyone here”A hero of war Is that what they see? Just medals and scars So dear proud of me. I brought home that flag now it gathers dust but it's a flag that I love,It's the only flag I trust. He said son,have you seen the world? what would you say?If I said that you could.