Flash Back Viet Nam 1969

A tale that is/was too true in many instances

Enter a soft spring evening

 in the calm, quiet transition

between sun and moon---I wait

near our favorite lakeside picnic spot.

 

Stars peek through jungle foliage.

The moon, half full

lights the scrub above our heads.

 

I sit on the bench

alone with my thoughts

of you.

 

A wet, insect laden breeze

cools our faces

 we dare to breath through

 mosquito netted faces.

 

Lake marsh mosquitoes

annoy my ears,land, bite, fly.

You approach silently, I recognize

your tred though, You sit not breaking 

the silence. I take your hand, kiss your palm----

 

The moonrise is magnificent---

we embrace, your long ebon hair,

a curtian, shields us from prying eyes

as we kiss.

 

As we watch the rhythmic dancing

reflection of moon-in-the-water

I whisper in your ear----

"Quiet soldier--- Charlie's near!"

 

 

Reviews

[quinfinn]

i am overwhelmed by the intensity and raw beauty of this poem. outstanding !

[Angela]

I hate to think of you reliving such harrowing moments in the best of times. This was a very clever right Robert. Amazing view of what flashbacks must be like. I love it.

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

this resounds in the chambers of the heart~ a haunting sweep ot tears~

[Robin]

those echoes never die , sorry you have to hear them ...

[Annelise]

This is really good. I like how smooth the transition is between the present and the past. It makes an almost frightening realization that one can go from a romantic evening to a different world all together. Reminds me of Slaughterhouse Five.