Your writing certainly touches the lingering keloid scars. My father served two tours of the Viet Nam war as a Marine; always stationed near Da Nang. First time, he was able to return home right after the 1968 Tet Offensive. Nobody wins.
Coming of age at the end of the Vietnam War I was spared from addressing the privileged angst of those not much older regarding serving, fleeing, or finding an exemption. My father, who spent his 21st birthday huddled in a hole in France, hoping not to be hit by German artillery shells, told me in one of those rare themes he would talk about war that he would have urged me to go to Canada if I faced that choice. He did not regret his service but did not want to see it repeated in the next generation. I then aged out of eligibility to serve in the last 35 years of continuous conflicts that have returned two generations of damaged youth who bravely served but returned to a country unwilling to offer support, including one family member who took his life. My father’s generation grew silent in a world that wanted to move on after 4 years of horror. Today we have learned to ignore the pain, after 35 years of distant conflict that stays beyond our understanding. The silence is still deafening. Thank you for trying to form words that break through a little.
Thank you, Glenn. On Substack's Notes, I saw a few weeks ago, a man mock a poem about the negatuve effect that fireworks might have on somebody who'd lived in a war zone. The man made some remark about how soldiers of the Revolutionary War who freed America were able to watch patriotic fireworks. A silly response, of course. I thought to respond to him but it would've been pointless. But fireworks are indeed a common trigger for soldiers with combat PTSD.
And also Relatives. I have similar thoughts, experiences, although don't know as many people who had to go to war. For me it was Ireland. People sent to serve over there. That was more than a mess, too.
Veteran Affairs is knockout. Brilliant poem. I wrote one about my uncle who was a POW in Korea. It's about a tortoise he had when he returned and his relationship with it. And a song called Soldier Boys. And still it's the boys who go over to fight, and as you said, the broken men who they return as.
I love your work. Total admiration - and a little envy!!!! Much respect.
I also come from a military family. When one of my younger brothers considered enlisting, I made a list of 10 questions to ask before doing so. That list was lost, but one of the questions was whether he could accept taking another human being's life or following orders he did not believe in, in exchange for a college degree. No one says this about military recruiters, but the value proposition they offer to working-class kids is truly a pernicious one. The wealthy kids who embrace service thinking that they might leverage it someday for political office are perhaps more clear-eyed about it, but the explicit sales pitch is to be selfish not to serve. In exchange for all of these soul-crushing things you will be asked to do, we will cover the cost of your college tuition, we will pad your resume for President of the United States.
Once again Sherman you've read my dreams and interpretted them. You probably own a coat of many colors, too. Oh Minister of Smackdown, wrestling angels rarely seen by others although the rest of us are surrounded! Load our saddles with contraband and order the palace guards to search them. We'll be obediently scared shitless when you save us from our own treachery.
I don't think there's anything wrong with being glad that one's bullies/rapists are dead. I literally danced on the grave of the man who sexually assaulted me when I was 12. I said I would and when he finally died I did.
Only the best poetry can be viewed from any angle. It illuminates the reader's experiences and perceptions, regardless of how different they may be from the author's. This does that. Powerfully.
This group of stories made me wonder what life would be like with you as US President. Compared to the current one, you would be the best President we ever had. Maybe without the comparison too. Handling Netanyahu regarding the Palestinian conflict like you did your Uncle? Imagine that!
Of course! And you don’t have to lead when someone else makes the movie from your script! A t least a movie doesn’t feel like ‘an organization’ even though it sort of has to be. Organized enough to keep one’s crazy creativity in play until the final cut!
Perfectly put! And you may want to/have to control that one of these days! Because the worst thing in the world is watching someone ruin something correct and perfect that you made and care about. Thankfully, it’s never happened to me.
Your writing certainly touches the lingering keloid scars. My father served two tours of the Viet Nam war as a Marine; always stationed near Da Nang. First time, he was able to return home right after the 1968 Tet Offensive. Nobody wins.
Nobody wins, indeed.
Much needed commentary on the realities of war. Nobody wins. Thank you.
Thank you, John.
As someone with PTSD from Iraq, I'm glad you didn't go to war.
I hope you find enough peace in your struggles.
Thank you, and thank you for subscribing to my Substack. I admire your writing.
You're welcome.
Coming of age at the end of the Vietnam War I was spared from addressing the privileged angst of those not much older regarding serving, fleeing, or finding an exemption. My father, who spent his 21st birthday huddled in a hole in France, hoping not to be hit by German artillery shells, told me in one of those rare themes he would talk about war that he would have urged me to go to Canada if I faced that choice. He did not regret his service but did not want to see it repeated in the next generation. I then aged out of eligibility to serve in the last 35 years of continuous conflicts that have returned two generations of damaged youth who bravely served but returned to a country unwilling to offer support, including one family member who took his life. My father’s generation grew silent in a world that wanted to move on after 4 years of horror. Today we have learned to ignore the pain, after 35 years of distant conflict that stays beyond our understanding. The silence is still deafening. Thank you for trying to form words that break through a little.
Thank you, Glenn. On Substack's Notes, I saw a few weeks ago, a man mock a poem about the negatuve effect that fireworks might have on somebody who'd lived in a war zone. The man made some remark about how soldiers of the Revolutionary War who freed America were able to watch patriotic fireworks. A silly response, of course. I thought to respond to him but it would've been pointless. But fireworks are indeed a common trigger for soldiers with combat PTSD.
Love this poem: You Know Who You Are
And also Relatives. I have similar thoughts, experiences, although don't know as many people who had to go to war. For me it was Ireland. People sent to serve over there. That was more than a mess, too.
Veteran Affairs is knockout. Brilliant poem. I wrote one about my uncle who was a POW in Korea. It's about a tortoise he had when he returned and his relationship with it. And a song called Soldier Boys. And still it's the boys who go over to fight, and as you said, the broken men who they return as.
I love your work. Total admiration - and a little envy!!!! Much respect.
Thank you, Simon.
Powerful poems. Thanks for sharing. They are all thought provoking.
Thank you, Katelon.
As so often Sherman …. Beeeeeeauuutiful !!!! And wonderful. What a great man you are . 😎☮️
Thanks, Dickie. But I'm not great. I'm just a very flawed human with writing talent.
Wow! Amazing work here! Every poem made me think differently. Thank you!
Thanks, Merlou.
These poems are beautiful and cruel filled with pain and joy. Thank you for your clear voice.
Thanks, Lizzie.
Read them several times now and all are brilliant. Thank you
Thanks, Marguerite.
I also come from a military family. When one of my younger brothers considered enlisting, I made a list of 10 questions to ask before doing so. That list was lost, but one of the questions was whether he could accept taking another human being's life or following orders he did not believe in, in exchange for a college degree. No one says this about military recruiters, but the value proposition they offer to working-class kids is truly a pernicious one. The wealthy kids who embrace service thinking that they might leverage it someday for political office are perhaps more clear-eyed about it, but the explicit sales pitch is to be selfish not to serve. In exchange for all of these soul-crushing things you will be asked to do, we will cover the cost of your college tuition, we will pad your resume for President of the United States.
It's a brutal bargain. But the military is a way for poor kids to escape poverty.
Higher ed used to be a way to do that too.
Yes, and it's a tragedy that isn't true anymore.
Once again Sherman you've read my dreams and interpretted them. You probably own a coat of many colors, too. Oh Minister of Smackdown, wrestling angels rarely seen by others although the rest of us are surrounded! Load our saddles with contraband and order the palace guards to search them. We'll be obediently scared shitless when you save us from our own treachery.
I don't think there's anything wrong with being glad that one's bullies/rapists are dead. I literally danced on the grave of the man who sexually assaulted me when I was 12. I said I would and when he finally died I did.
Only the best poetry can be viewed from any angle. It illuminates the reader's experiences and perceptions, regardless of how different they may be from the author's. This does that. Powerfully.
Dear Sherman,
Beautiful poems, all.
I love this line a lot:
"I call bullshit
on that bullshit."
And this one:
"Would you weep with joy
or grief if you saw
your enemies bleed?"
And "Love Song with War" really resonates with me.
Thank you for sharing as always!
Much love,
Myq
This group of stories made me wonder what life would be like with you as US President. Compared to the current one, you would be the best President we ever had. Maybe without the comparison too. Handling Netanyahu regarding the Palestinian conflict like you did your Uncle? Imagine that!
I have zero desire to lead any organization of any size!
Of course! And you don’t have to lead when someone else makes the movie from your script! A t least a movie doesn’t feel like ‘an organization’ even though it sort of has to be. Organized enough to keep one’s crazy creativity in play until the final cut!
I'll direct a personal film only to keep directors away from it!
Perfectly put! And you may want to/have to control that one of these days! Because the worst thing in the world is watching someone ruin something correct and perfect that you made and care about. Thankfully, it’s never happened to me.