allow the silence to roar

allow the silence to roar

 

 

contentious belongings

the moles fell out of the flannel

 

a picturesque incarceration

colorful black and white photo

 

the guns sound

the tribute stored in memory

 

pure wool wavering

cotton tears favoring

 

they stood up and then fell for us

yet we screamed hateful innuendos 

at them,

for returning

in uniform

expectation

 

that we might love them

smooth the skin of protest

enough

 

to let them back in.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/11/2020

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

The Vietnam war and the Korean war involvement makes Trump not as foolish. How presidents with big egos fell on their swords back then. So caught up in communism fears. A waste of life that war, that wasn't ours to fight be it America or Australia.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, so true, andrew. and He doesn't need those wars or any wars to make him foolish...he finds ways on his own.
thank you,
j.

[John the Baptist]

I recall that in Ken Burns' documentary "The Vietnam War" one woman, now grown older, who recalled harassing returning Vietnam soldiers in airports, calling them "baby killers,etc.". She was truly remorseful for those thoughtless long ago acts. I wonder if the current mobs of rioters and vandals will have a similar experience in the future.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

The war was stupid, but the government had us in the war, the soldiers who served were only doing their duty, and were treated so unfairly...
thank you, John,
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

A truly stirring thank you to all those who went and served and returned to the abuse & hate of the ones who stayed back to protest the war ... seems to be something we are particularly good at.
Easy to point fingers and call them "baby killers" ... it gets good press ... but all they were doing was fighting for their lives and each other.
A trip to The Wall would be in order.
In Windsor there is a Northern Wall to honour the Canadians who volunteered in the armed forces to fight alongside their American cousins.

Good one for Remembrance/Veterans day j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, a trip to the wall certainly would be...
Thank you, Ted,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I can remember watching a TV programme about the abuse your returning soldiers got after the Vietnam War. I was shocked, particularly because it was a time when my Dad had the opportunity to move to the States, in the days of the brain drain. The only reason we didn't go was because my brother could have been drafted. I can not imagine the pain those vets must have felt. I know many of them died by suicide and many of them disappeared to live wild. That:s where your lines took me. Timely as well for Remembrance Day. Men and women who join the forces to protect and defend their country should be treated with the greatest honour and respect says I.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and I knew several who felt such despair...
thank you for your understanding words, Chris,read moreand I knew several who felt such despair...
thank you for your understanding words, Chris,
j.

[Paul Bell]

This reminds me of the soldiers returning from Vietnam who suffered dogs abuse for doing their duty.
Guys hidden away in hospitals with horrendous wounds treated like the forgotten army.
The war America tried to forget and actually did for a lot of years.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You are so insightful, my friend.

thanks, I do remember then very well.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Perhaps we need to consider those who have offended/opposed us, even if they have done so in the strongest terms, through use of threat and arms. Reconciliation it appears stays silent so as not to lay blame and get into 'he said, she said'

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your words, John,
j.