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Open Poetry #41
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Khe Iem
Junior Member
since 2007-10-14
Posts 25


0 posted 2007-10-26 11:08 AM


A DEATH ON TELEVISION

by Khe Iem
translated by DoVinh


AP. - MRS. ROSA GONZALEZ SAW HER SON’S BODY ON THE ARAB NEWS-CHANNEL AL-JAZEERA ON SUNDAY MORNING, AND THE NEXT DAY SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT HER SON HAD BEEN KILLED IN ACTION. “I SAID POOR, POOR BOYS. THEY FELL THERE. BUT WHEN I SAW THE FACE, IT WAS THAT OF MY SON,”  CPL. JORGE A. GONZALEZ, 20 YEARS OLD, WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 1ST BATTALION, 2ND MARINE REGIMENT, 2ND MARINE EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE, IN CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA.  MARRIED TO JUZTY, 25 YEARS OLD; HIS SON ALONSO, BORN MARCH 4, 2003, SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE HE WAS DEPLOYED FOR COMBAT IN THE MIDDLE EAST.  END OF NEWS FLASH.  END.  THE END.  SILENCE.  
CAN NOT BE SILENT.  
AND A POEM, READ
RYTHMICALLY,
LIKE A
PRAYER...


The woman sees the death of her own son
on the screen but does not believe that her
son is dead, and even though the news came like
a storm about the death of her son, she

does not believe what she saw;  no one received
the news and recognized the death of her
son and she also could not understand
even her own pain because that is only

a partial death on the screen and in the
news, and the pain is only a partial
pain;  the story both real and unreal
about a son in times of war continues

to be told without ever quitting like
the pain shivering in her heart;  her son
dead or alive, no one could know what is
behind the death of a young soldier leaving

a wife and a newborn child growing up
without a father other than a letter remaining  
“And if you can wait just a little longer,
I’ll be there as soon as the war ends.”

“I’ll be there…”  no one could understand
except the woman swallowing her pain
waiting another death of her own in
order to be with the son losing the

way home, and her memories fading for
more than once she does not believe what
she saw - the death of her son.

March 27—2003.

[This message has been edited by Khe Iem (10-27-2007 11:20 AM).]

© Copyright 2007 Khe Iem - All Rights Reserved
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
1 posted 2007-10-26 02:08 PM


Nice writing...James
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
2 posted 2007-10-26 06:22 PM


quote:
no one could understand
except the woman swallowing her pain
waiting another death of her own in
order to be with the son losing the

way home, and her memories fading for
more than once she does not believe what
she saw - the death of her son.



This is heartwrenching really.
And this mother is one of a huge crowd of mothers who won't see their sons come home.

War is totally senseless, when will we come to the senses?

Thank you for sharing this. Your words are powerful.

Love and a prayer for this particular Mom and this particular son ... and a prayer for peace.
Margherita

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
3 posted 2007-10-26 06:34 PM


Such an image, can be so traumatizing that it may be difficult at first, for someone to comprehend what it was that they had actually seen. How dreadfully traumatizing that must have been for that grieving mother when the reality of what she had seen finally sunk in.

A gripping, compelling, and compassionate write.

Love, Harmony, & World Peace,

Earth Angel

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2008-01-11 04:03 PM


Reading again...touching...imagining the pain and frustration, the emptiness a parent would feel upon losing a loved one in whom all of their love and concern was totally given...James
Clang
Member
since 2005-12-15
Posts 222

5 posted 2008-01-11 05:36 PM


As a mother this really strikes a chord.  Ever since my sons were born I have often thought about the possibility that they would join the military and that I might lose them to war.  It is the greatest sacrifice I can imagine and one I would never want to experience.  My heart goes out to all mothers of soldiers.  I also applaud those who serve in the military.  They are all true heros.
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