navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #37 » Scenes Of Bataan
Open Poetry #37
Post A Reply Post New Topic Scenes Of Bataan Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2006-02-11 09:05 AM


­­After my uncle came home from Bataan,
He would stand by the window-staring
At winter-mumbling, mostly incoherent
Odd language-gibberish between English
Words like "japs" and "jungle", mixed
With short, unfinished sentences...like
"falling from palms"-"death leads to victory"

But there were no snipers or soldiers,
Hiding in our yard, or up in the maples.

Evidence was in his body twitches
That birds nests became coconuts,
Or were they heads, with slanted eyes?

His trigger finger would curl like a hunter
Of deer or men, to him it didn't matter,
He was preparing to squeeze off a round
At the something or nothing, that slunk
Through forsythias- as buds and bodies,
Of both, hid things that were yellow-
Husk and skin were alike to him-beauty
And death (both) hidden by camouflage.

But all a boy of six could see
Was his mothers clothes-pants
And sheets, hanging stif-froze
Between the house and first tree;
But etched on the brain of his uncle
Were scenes of Bataan-the Bataan
Made a hell by the devil of war,
Whose evil would not let him leave.


© Copyright 2006 ford hume - All Rights Reserved
froggy
Senior Member
since 2003-06-23
Posts 1893
Michigan
1 posted 2006-02-11 10:07 AM


Ford,
  I'm lost for words on this one.

:-)

Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things,
man will not himself find peace."

Albert Schweitzer,
Nobel Peace Prize Wi

jane_kiedis
Junior Member
since 2006-02-04
Posts 38
Philippines
2 posted 2006-02-11 10:27 AM


dunno what to say... i just felt it...

psychic spies from China tries to steal your mind's elation

Bodger
Senior Member
since 2005-06-12
Posts 1260
Tolerance for a short time
3 posted 2006-02-11 10:31 AM


Yes and it is well ignored

It always happened over there

And why are you bringing this home

Dont become a Bushite

America supported the deaths of a lot of people in South American and the British invented the concentration in South Africa

Dont expect virgins to survive nor people who have to move be beyond the pales to come back normal - when you select on the grounds that they are poor and working for a University Grant - they wont normally show a writing finger

Dave

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
4 posted 2006-02-11 10:36 AM



This is excellent work.

There is a line that can be crossed in the human mind from which there is no retreat.  With luck the memories may be stored and kept somewhat secured from interfering with daily life...but not always.

You have done well to describe a person who has had to cross that line and who survived.  Thank you for writing this.

RedStoneEB
Senior Member
since 2003-06-08
Posts 772
uk
5 posted 2006-02-11 10:55 AM


Sometimes its best to leave them to it playing way in a peaceful world
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2006-02-11 10:58 AM



And before your uncle,
what relative might you recall
from stories alone,

who served a cause
greater than he?

Not all men wish for war,
not all men will serve,

nor women, either...

But for those who have,
and whom remember the evil...
know they did what they could
to dispel it.

As always, Ford, I am glad
to read you.


Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
7 posted 2006-02-11 01:17 PM


I like the way you showed us the unfolding scene from different vantage points. It would be great if the young one who only sees the flapping sheets now, only sees them in the future as well.
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
8 posted 2006-02-11 01:35 PM


Ford....An amazingly clear look into the heart, by just describing the scene....so well done, with tenderness and compassion.  
Dominique-Simone
Senior Member
since 2005-11-12
Posts 643

9 posted 2006-02-11 07:20 PM


But all a boy of six could see
Was his mothers clothes-pants
And sheets, hanging stif-froze
Between the house and first tree;
But etched on the brain of his uncle
Were scenes of Bataan-the Bataan
Made a hell by the devil of war,
Whose evil would not let him leave

I think the word WOW, sums it up

miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
10 posted 2006-02-11 08:23 PM


hanging stif-froze

such description; I remember clothes suspended like that in the winter.  It is a shame war can do the same. A touching poem.

       misce

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
11 posted 2006-02-11 11:09 PM




"Husk and skin were alike to him-beauty
And death (both) hidden by camouflage."

I too am speechless save for Wow!


ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
12 posted 2006-02-12 10:53 AM


­Froggy
The seven you typed prove you are wrong...they explain how you feel, and are sufficient, plenty good enough..thank you.

Jane..
ditto my words to froggy..
Thank you.

Bodger
In no way am I a Bushie, distance does not do justice to measure our apartness..hmmm is that a word? My uncle certainly moved "beyond the pales" was a recluse his whole life...When I grew up I found out why...and still it goes on...   Thank you for reading.

I-box
Man, I am glad you read this..I know you would understand where I was coming from...It is a true story..My Uncle Charlie was a pow in a Japanese camp...he crossed the line, but never made it fully back home...
Thank you for reading..

Red Stone
Thank you for reading and the reply.

Kari
Yes, he did serve" a cause greater than he." And he did do the best he could to dispel the evil...
But the evil of war is still here, and it will linger...the same as it did in his life...soldiers coming home are always different...some to an extreme, like my uncle.
I am the one who is glad..
"as always",,,glad to have been read by you....

Midnitesun....O, how I love that nic... The sheets were all I saw, yes, My hope is that someday there will be no returning soldiers, that stand by windows and see the enemy, instead of cloths hang to dry.  Thank you for reading, and the reply.

Martie
"with tenderness and compassion"....indeed what I tried to display....thank you...

D.S.
Thank you for reading...The last stanza is the hardest for me to write, in any poem...thank you for quoting it...

MsCe
It is a fond memory from my childhood...those frozen clothes, brought in...the scent of them...ahhh so sweet and fresh.
Glad you remember them also..
Thank you for reading...

Lady
Thank You, "wow" is good enough, a one word speech, that means so much.  


­­
­

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #37 » Scenes Of Bataan

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary