Now, I've probably created an entire fictional story here, but this is what I remember. I met my aunt's boyfriend when I was very small. And here's what happened.
Ode to Doug
I hid behind her legs,
afraid of this tall stranger.
Did I look you in the eye?
Did I say, “hey?”
Or did I press my face
against her knee?
I don’t remember.
I don’t remember
you leaving
or how you died
in that foreign land.
I don’t remember
her grief
or how she held you
to her heart.
But I
remember you now
and echo the
song
“War, what
is it good for?
Absolutely
nothing.”
Tomorrow we honor those fallen in war. Doug's was Vietnam. I'll be thinking about him and all those other young men and women who made that sacrifice.
Please remember to go here to check out the other poems written by jammers this week!
Oh yes ... a time to remember, never forget.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely nothing, indeed. Thank you for this piece.
ReplyDeleteA very moving piece of writing for right before Memorial Day! Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for all the mothers and fathers and wives and husbands and children who have lost someone to the totally stupid and usually unnecessary folly we call war. I am also selfishly happy that my own son whose youthful folly caused him to join the Army Reserves and get sent to war was spared any harm.
ReplyDeletepersonally I think that before any government official (president, senator, representative, cabinet minister) is allowed to vote to commit this nation and our children to war, that they should be required to enlist first.
We should never forget those who have obeyed orders, done their duty - and denied themselves a future. So sad.
ReplyDeleteheart felt and very apropo for the weekend...i think all our lives have been touched directly or otherwise by war...there has to be a better way...
ReplyDeleteIt's hard reading the responses to the prompt this week: so much to reflect, and such emotion.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the three 'I don't remember's and then the 'But I remember you now'.
A lovely tribute, Bug!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you brought me into the picture with childlike intimacy and awe and then pulled the trigger. A poem with great depth and a powerful jolt.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful but sad.
ReplyDeletegreat poem said in a super way! thankyou!
ReplyDeleteI agree-war is good for nothing. Except, of course, raising the popularity ratings of presidents and making money for the corporations who make the jets and weapons.
ReplyDelete