A Letter To Saigon
A former soldier writes a letter66 total reviews
Comment from shelley kaye
a very interesting and thought-provoking story of a soldier far from home in the middle of a war he probably can't forget...
good word choices
smooth flow and rhyme
thank you for sharing
shelley :)
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a very interesting and thought-provoking story of a soldier far from home in the middle of a war he probably can't forget...
good word choices
smooth flow and rhyme
thank you for sharing
shelley :)
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
Comment from Loretta Bigg
This poem has some very nice metaphors and the story is excellent and never grows dull. I like the rhyme scheme and the style of it. There is some hope in it as well of a meeting longed for.
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This poem has some very nice metaphors and the story is excellent and never grows dull. I like the rhyme scheme and the style of it. There is some hope in it as well of a meeting longed for.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
Comment from kiwisteveh
In terms of a review, I can't say much more than is revealed in your notes. Not sure if that is someone else's reaction and review to the poem or possibly your own words, but it captures it really well.
A lot to like here. One thing that sticks is the comment
I wonder now
Who took offense
At asking how
Man lost his sense
Maybe that's because I was one of those doing the asking, protesting on the streets of Auckland before the world had truly woken up to the insanity. 37 New Zealand soldiers died in Vietnam and 187 were wounded. Many others came back with PTSD and after effects of Agent Orange. Nothing compared to American losses I know, but significant for us.
Thanks for sharing this potent reminder.
Steve
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In terms of a review, I can't say much more than is revealed in your notes. Not sure if that is someone else's reaction and review to the poem or possibly your own words, but it captures it really well.
A lot to like here. One thing that sticks is the comment
I wonder now
Who took offense
At asking how
Man lost his sense
Maybe that's because I was one of those doing the asking, protesting on the streets of Auckland before the world had truly woken up to the insanity. 37 New Zealand soldiers died in Vietnam and 187 were wounded. Many others came back with PTSD and after effects of Agent Orange. Nothing compared to American losses I know, but significant for us.
Thanks for sharing this potent reminder.
Steve
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Wow, what a powerful and evocative verse with this tick-tock rhythm you describe as the "ever-present grim reaper." The romantic, illicit relationship against this backdrop of combat and killing is often a feature I see that stirs and makes this life/death situation the more poignant and emotive. Well done here! This is excellent! Debbie
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Wow, what a powerful and evocative verse with this tick-tock rhythm you describe as the "ever-present grim reaper." The romantic, illicit relationship against this backdrop of combat and killing is often a feature I see that stirs and makes this life/death situation the more poignant and emotive. Well done here! This is excellent! Debbie
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
Comment from Sanku
War and romance have been clubbed in many stories.Its natural that the army men find time for extra military activities .The soldiers apparently would not forget those encounters too.The short lines suits this theme
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War and romance have been clubbed in many stories.Its natural that the army men find time for extra military activities .The soldiers apparently would not forget those encounters too.The short lines suits this theme
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
Comment from JSD
Wow. Quite an epic. Your language is taut and expressive as ever and your rhyme and rhythm fairly faultless. Well done.
John
"Seeing through a glass darkly."
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Wow. Quite an epic. Your language is taut and expressive as ever and your rhyme and rhythm fairly faultless. Well done.
John
"Seeing through a glass darkly."
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
Comment from Bill Schott
This poem, A Letter to Saigon, reminds me of our training exercise in the DMZ in the late 70s. Not the secret relationship part, but ROK Marines and their awesomeness.
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This poem, A Letter to Saigon, reminds me of our training exercise in the DMZ in the late 70s. Not the secret relationship part, but ROK Marines and their awesomeness.
Comment Written 08-Jul-2023
Comment from Jane Jane King
The is an excellent thought provoking poem and speaks to many things. Loneliness, the horrors of war, infidelity, and more than anything else unimaginable suffering. Thank you so much for your service and for sharing.
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The is an excellent thought provoking poem and speaks to many things. Loneliness, the horrors of war, infidelity, and more than anything else unimaginable suffering. Thank you so much for your service and for sharing.
Comment Written 20-Mar-2023
Comment from kahpot
"death changed the game" these are powerful words, I am glad for some happiness in this time of horror, and yes, the truth seems to have disappeared, and those that know still today are suffering, very well written****kahpot
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"death changed the game" these are powerful words, I am glad for some happiness in this time of horror, and yes, the truth seems to have disappeared, and those that know still today are suffering, very well written****kahpot
Comment Written 19-Mar-2023
Comment from CrystieCookie999
This is a deceptively simple yet complicated poem. Your author notes helped a lot to understand combat experiences and feelings in Korea. I did not live through that era, but your poem certainly brings up real possibilities. My only artistic reference to that time is a synopsis of the musical "Miss Saigon." And I guess you could include "M*A*S*H" which was way after the Korean War.
Favorite stanza (because it has a universal feel for any war):
It was not long
And this I swear
The truth was gone
From everywhere
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This is a deceptively simple yet complicated poem. Your author notes helped a lot to understand combat experiences and feelings in Korea. I did not live through that era, but your poem certainly brings up real possibilities. My only artistic reference to that time is a synopsis of the musical "Miss Saigon." And I guess you could include "M*A*S*H" which was way after the Korean War.
Favorite stanza (because it has a universal feel for any war):
It was not long
And this I swear
The truth was gone
From everywhere
Comment Written 19-Mar-2023
