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Open Poetry #32
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Other Small Sacrifices
| Open Poetry #32 |
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Other Small Sacrifices |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA 
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Dennie, a fine young man, real smart, fun, a friend. All-American guy, such a friendly smile. Then came Viet Nam. Den signed up, not like some -- his brother stayed at home and I was glad. We waited for word; we were sad. Den’s letters didn’t come for many, many days. We prayed. Den's brother went to LA, embraced the 'purple haze.' I went off to school. Saw coffins on the quad displayed. I sat through disrupted classes. Smoke bombs roamed the halls, steamed my glasses. Kent State, OH High O. I wondered what was this war for anything at all? I sank my head into my books afraid I'd see if I really looked. Studied hard, worked, went on. Den’s brother, my love, returned with songs -- peace chants. Brain gone. My love went up in 'smoke.' Then Dennie finally came home. But it didn't feel like him. Spirit broke. The boyish charm had gone. He never slept; wanted to be alone. That July Four we partied on. We talked Den into coming along. But he had to leave when fireworks stormed. Tears he hid, and violence uncalmed. I asked his brother what was wrong -- as if I didn’t know. We didn't see Den for two days more. The truth is, we lost Dennie the day he left for war. And I will never understand the horrors that he saw. I only know the small effects. [This message has been edited by iliana (05-31-2004 03:59 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2004 J.A.A.Powell - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Foxyoasis Senior Member
since 2003-06-10
Posts 974Atlantic Beach,Fla |
wow powerful poem good write! Fool me once shame on you.....Fool me twice shame on me..... |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
 owie owie |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
This is powerful. I hate knowing this happens... Always, Alyssa Poems are made by fools like me, |
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MGROVES
since 2004-02-01
Posts 3802california |
i have family and friends who too came back but not the way they left. and have lived in a hellish nightmare ever since. good write |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
 so sad.The clouds never expect it when it rains, but the sea, changes colour, but the sea, does not change. |
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muted
since 2004-01-15
Posts 2949Elapsing, Eclipsing, Evolving |
oh this is so touching |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
This.. reminds me of the stories I'd heard about my grandfather. I never got to meet him, even though he didn't pass on until I was about 14. I still cried when he did, though, because I knew that he had to go through the same "horrors".. Thank you for this. |
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Sadelite Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519 |
iliana, You write of tough times. A hard time for many... Touching write. (I remember) Sadie |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
"I wondered what was this war for anything at all? I sank my head into my books afraid I'd see if I really looked. Studied hard, worked, went on. Den’s brother, my love, returned with songs -- peace chants. Brain gone. My love went up in 'smoke.' Then Dennie finally came home. But it didn't feel like him. The boyish charm had gone." A story well told and appreciated... |
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Ericc Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178 |
A powerful tribute to those who served...and for those we lost. Thank you. Eric |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Well done.... |
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Susan Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104walking the surreal |
Illiana, Such a sorrowful and insightful write. War touches many lives, as a ripple in the water caused by a tossed stone. Thanks for sharing.  SusanThe whole of the Universe resides within each individual heart. |
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*Belabebeautiful*
since 2003-01-03
Posts 696washington, USA |
Very powerfull and so touching. I too understand the small effects the vietnam war left on a loved one. ~Live and Laugh~ The memories are worth the pain when the happiness is outweighs the sorrow |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
"We talked Den into coming along. But he had to leave when fireworks stormed." yes, it was the little things...so many little things. Well said. |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
iliana, even tho' wars may be waged elsewhere, our troops bring it back to their home soil with their losses, pain, and suffering...It is so incredibly sad. Warm hugs, EA |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
iliana....A very sensitive write...well done! |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
This brought my skin a life of its own Jo...very well written, and very horribly true. A perfect write for this weekend. Hugs, TD |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Well said about the effect and the scars of war...James |
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choshi Senior Member
since 2004-01-01
Posts 1184New York |
~Jo, I could have entered this powerful poem anywhere, but it was here that my tears welled-up.....So many images, memories, feelings ......Thank you for sharing  Gratitude ~P |
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