Little Beggars of Tan My and Hue

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JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

0 posted 2011-09-20 05:30 AM

Little Beggars of Tan My and Hue

Memories this day are somewhat faded –
but my heart still wounded
some forty plus years later.

I can still see their faces –
dirty little beggars,
heart breaking little beggars.
Looking for a smile,
a tidbit of food.
Their little hands stretching out
Their clothes dull with age,
clothes they wore all night and all day,
every day, maybe that way for years…

I would smile and hide my tears.

They would play their daily games
running in groups of five or ten.
Sometimes steeling, but most often begging.
I wanted to hold each one of them,
however, my age then was not for sorrow,
but to follow a serviceman’s’ edict and grin.

So, I would smile and hide my tears.

Little children in a complex living –
their struggle was with time, that time.
I would force my mind to repeat
over and over again:
These tiny little beggars of Tan My and Hue
lost in an instant of time, why do I witness this;
their struggle is not mine…

Homeless,
no one to hold them each night,
only desperation and crime.
I remember their little faces
and grungy little smiles.
My thoughts would race –
my sea bag cannot contain them all
and how would I ever choose which one to leave?
What laws would forbid their escape,
and which of the two societies would loose?
Where would I keep them
and how would I know what to do?

I gave them what I could
my millions in time,
chocolate bars, and chewing gum.
Not being enough, I knew,
as my thoughts would rescued me.
What else could I do?

Today still –
After some forty years
I smile and hide my tears.

When I pray
I think about
those little beggars,
of Tan My and Hue.

I know, some must have died by now
others so terribly wounded by that life.
But as my troubled spirit lives
and if it is the Lord’s will,
I will see them again some day,
and rejoice in song
instead of pray…

God bless those little beggars
of Tan My and Hue…

*

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

[This message has been edited by JL (09-20-2011 09:20 AM).]

ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

1 posted 2011-09-20 05:44 AM

In a soldiers eyes
Still reflections make thier way;
Long removed from sights, and sounds
That through some night, and even days
Break the visual barrier of time;

Still the begging goes on, as if the soldier Fought for naught to save
Future generations from the streets;

The soldier nervous waits, perhaps
In heaven will he see a smiling face
Of even one that begged in streets
Of Tan My, and Hue.

Those are my heartfelt thoughts, JL..
Your poem moved me with heartwrenching irritation..I just had to add something,
as a token gift of appreciation for your expression of feelings. A small gift it is.

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

2 posted 2011-09-20 05:47 AM

Thank you so very much!
And I enjoyed your heartfelt words deeply as well.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

3 posted 2011-09-20 08:21 AM

Oh my, this is so tremendously sad and poignant. Your thoughts and your tears make this a beautiful tribute of love.

And the world has not yet healed ...

And Jesus reminded us that "whatever you do for the least of these children you do it for me ...".

I love also Ford's words inspired by yours.

May all the children of the world be loved and cared for!

Love,
Margherita

"Love is the One who masters all things;
I am mastered totally by Love."
(Rumi)

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

4 posted 2011-09-20 09:24 AM

Tremendous write my friend. I remember Hong Kong in the early 60's, in areas I shouldn't have been --- this brings back feelings of then...

j.

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

5 posted 2011-09-20 10:51 AM

This is so deeply touching... Too many children suffer too much.

May God bless you for your compassion, then and now.

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

6 posted 2011-09-20 11:24 AM

Thanks Margherita. I do appreciate.
------
Thanks J. I am sure you know what I saw.
------
Thanks Suthern I am so glad you could feel the depth of that experience.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

7 posted 2011-09-20 06:16 PM

Fine writing...James

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

8 posted 2011-09-20 07:37 PM

Thank you, James.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

9 posted 2011-09-21 02:59 AM

I have read this several times, and each time the tears flow. What a beautiful memorial you have built with your kind, sensitive, compassionate, honest and poetic heart to these little souls! I wish they could have known while they were/are on Earth that they have been remembered for all these years and immortalised in your beautiful poem, JL.

Ford's poem and gift to you, is beautiful and touching too.

God bless you both, and those little beggars caught in this poem snapshot, wherever they may be. My guess is that the ones who have passed on are smiling down on you and blessing you. Those still left on Earth, we can still pray for.

Owl

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

10 posted 2011-09-21 06:12 AM

Thank you Owl.
Your words are very sweet and kind.
As always.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

11 posted 2011-09-21 10:35 PM

JL, my uncle was a viet nam vet, he couldn't sleep after coming back, reliving the war I imagine.
Yes, God bless all of the children and our Men who were sent
to give all they had.
Ms. E

Krawdad
Member Elite

since 2001-01-03

Posts 2597

12 posted 2011-09-21 11:14 PM

Some things will not be forgotten for the stains they have left.
Good that you could share this with us.

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

13 posted 2011-09-22 02:10 AM

Ms. E. I understand. Thank you so much. Tell your Uncle: “Welcome Home!”
----------
Krawdad: So true my friend, and thank you for your kind reply.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

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