Tuesday, July 10, 2012
This week we read the poem "Facing It" by Yusef Komunyakaa. I enjoyed this poem as I used it told a story of a veteran who is visiting the Vietnam War Memorial Wall. This was significant to me because I used to pass this wall every day when I lived in the D.C. area, it was on my way to work. This poem hit me hard as I realized how many times I had passed that same wall without even thinking twice about the names etched into the wall and the lives that were taken to save mine. The author used symbols to tell his story. One example of symbolism in this poem is on line 10, "a women's trying to erase names: No, she's brushing a boy's hair."
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I, too, found the selection you are referencing quite interesting...I also found that it seemed like this person, at this moment while looking into the wall, found himself back in Vietnam. the veteran starts with the reminder of Andrew, who apparently was killed by a booby trap. Then as he sees the reflections of other people, like your reference, this veteran is reminded of various things about the war, but it would appear that the veteran is wishing it could be all erased...like it just never happened. I found myself drawn into the poem with Yusef's many symbols and visuals.
ReplyDeleteHi Jaci,
ReplyDeleteI thought that this poem was the most powerful and moving reading for this week. The imagery that was used in this poem made it easier for me to follow along with. One part that really struck me was when he was walking along the wall and half-expected to find his name on it. There is a saying that war changes a man and like I said in my blog, when I read that section I couldn't help but think the person he was before died in Vietnam and now he is someone completely different and changed. I would like to someday go and see the Vietnam War Memorial.
Kyle
ReplyDeleteThe Vietnam War Memorial is amazing! I was blessed with the opportunity to experience many of the memorials when I lived in D.C. Great place for a vacation.
Jaci,
ReplyDeleteOut of all of the poems we had to read this week i thought that this poem was the most powerful. For me it brought up the most emotion. Gave me the opportunity to think about all of the soldiers who sacraficed and still do to this day. I am so jealous you have gotten to see this wall... I hope that some day i will make it out there!