Poetry

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=215 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <IMG SRC="05564960.jpg" border=0 width="100" height="150" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vietnam Donut Dollies"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id34_m.htm#poetry_section_1" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poetry "><U><B>Poetry Section</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id34_m.htm#pat_hewatt" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poetry "><U>Pat Hewatt</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id34_m.htm#penni_evans" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poetry "><U>Penni Evans</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id34_m.htm#memories_of_vietnam" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poetry "><U>Sara Haines</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id35_reflections.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reflections"><U><B>Reflections</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index_guest_book.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vietnam Donut Dollies"><U><B>Guest Book</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><B>In Loving Memory</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>(NEW)</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>   </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reunions"><U><B>Reunions</B></U></A></FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> All Rights Reserved © 2001 by Vietnam Donut Dollies</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#CC99CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div>  <A NAME="poetry_section_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Poetry Section</FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="42996260.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="534" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#9999CC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="528"><div> <B>BALLAD OF A WOMAN VETERAN</B></div> <div> (Written by F. Warman)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><bR> <div> I was a soldier, a fighter tried and true</div> <div> You may not remember me, but I went there for you</div> <div> I had my share of combat, I saw the blood and gore</div> <div> But somehow I'm forgotten when they tell about the war.</div> <bR> <div> They say we weren't real soldiers</div> <div> Even though our blood was spilled</div> <div> They forget about our wounded</div> <div> They forget abut our killed</div> <div> Some say that we just partied there</div> <div> And enjoyed our deadly chore</div> <div> How I resent those lies about me when they tell about the war.</div> <bR> <div> I'm a woman and a veteran</div> <div> I say it with great pride</div> <div> Having given of my very best, there's nothing I need to hide</div> <div> And now I have the right to ask that the burden that I bore</div> <div> Always be remembered when they tell about the war.</div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 14 WIDTH="528"><div> (Provided by Jan Woods)</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>   </B><B> <A NAME="pat_hewatt"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Pat Hewatt</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="75777550.jpg" border=0 width="119" height="85" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="522" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#9999CC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 54 WIDTH="516"><div> <B>SEASONS OF SEIGE</B></div> <div> VIETNAM TWENTY YEARS AFTER</div> <div> (A poem in 5 parts)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 214 WIDTH="516"><div> I</div> <bR> <div> The nameless, faceless</div> <div> rank and file that</div> <div> thunders through my dreams</div> <div> calls red alert</div> <div> to already cautioned sleep.</div> <bR> <div> One by one I wave</div> <div> a sleepy farewell</div> <div> to those round-eyed boys</div> <div> gone to fight a killer</div> <div> that still sleeps in my bed</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="516"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="516" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 198 WIDTH="516"><div> II</div> <bR> <div> What camouflage can</div> <div> disguise a heart</div> <div> whose beat</div> <div> is tapped out by bones</div> <div> on shell case droppings,</div> <div> metered by staccato mortar, </div> <div> martyred by the shell-shocked,</div> <div> tone-deaf third chairs</div> <div> of last year's high school</div> <div> marching band?</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="516"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="516" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 518 ><NOBR><div> III</div> <bR> <div> We danced on the edge of an open grave.</div> <div> Slipped `round mounds </div> <div> of dusty red clay.</div> <div> Hot and humid </div> <div> clashed with Cutty Sark.</div> <div> Perfumes and after shaves mingled</div> <div> into that inevitable tropical sweet sweat.</div> <div> You in your khaki's</div> <div> me in some yellow-daised flounce</div> <div> sent from home with love and fear.</div> <bR> <div> A two-day stand down at Long Binh</div> <div> was a shoddy farewell from this earth---</div> <div> RX, PX, a steak and some beer.</div> <div> And the dance.</div> <div> Then back to Pineapple Plantation,</div> <div> that fatal fruited LZ</div> <div> that flashed a napalm dawn. And death.</div> <div> You returned to Long Binh---</div> <div> but to Quartermaster this trip.</div> <div> No khaki. Green.</div> <div> And three days ago we danced.</div> <bR> <div> Today I feel the earth splitting</div> <div> just so long and just so wide</div> <div> six feet of georgia clay at my side.</div> <div> My toes are tapping last notes</div> <div> as I wait in my daisied dress</div> <bR> <div> Who will dance with me?</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="516"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="516" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 278 ><NOBR><div> IV</div> <bR> <div> I froze staring at your</div> <div> slicked back hair</div> <div> black where it once was blonde</div> <bR> <div> I saw your eyes</div> <div> stitched closed</div> <div> where once they were blue</div> <div> Your mouth</div> <div> stuffed quiet with cotton</div> <div> jaws set, lips pursed forever</div> <bR> <div> Where are you now, Alan</div> <div> twenty years alive. Twenty years dead.</div> <div> Life couldn't hold you</div> <div> Death didn't flatter you</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="516"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="516" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 308 ><NOBR><div> V</div> <bR> <div> I'll kiss your lips</div> <div> and free the words still there</div> <div> if you are unable to speak</div> <bR> <div> I'll clasp your hand</div> <div> and gently lead you</div> <div> when your footsteps make no path</div> <bR> <div> I'll hum you songs</div> <div> whose words haved faded</div> <div> but whose melody lingers</div> <bR> <div> I'll do all this and more</div> <div> if you'll tell me just one time</div> <div> what it's like to be dead</div> <bR> <div> © 2000 by Pat Hewatt   <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Any print, copy or reproduction requires expressed written consent of the author</FONT></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> _________________________________________________________</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="516"><div> <B>DA LAT 1967</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 559 WIDTH="516"><div> Da Lat, the city of flowers</div> <div> was brilliant with soon-to-be bouquets</div> <div> for slender young brides.</div> <div> Their Oie-dies flapped </div> <div> in the highland breeze.</div> <div> Scarlet hues radiated like passion</div> <div> that now only budded in blushes.</div> <div> Everywhere color flashed</div> <div> in the labyrinth of crowded, pot-holed streets</div> <div> lined with tin hooches</div> <div> and low slung, bone-white</div> <div> stucco buildings---</div> <div> grudging gifts from the French---</div> <div> whose clay tiled roofs smiled upward.</div> <div> Pedicabs and peddlers hustled and hawked.</div> <div> The only thing booming was business.</div> <bR> <div> The new year, starting with a bang,</div> <div> changed forever</div> <div> the petal-perfectness of this garden in the east.</div> <div> Pots holes disappeared into bomb craters</div> <div> as did half the town.</div> <div> Black clad brides lit josh sticks---smoldering reminders of passion</div> <div> that burned out but never flamed.</div> <bR> <div> The bouquets of flowers,</div> <div> dead now, were pressed under</div> <div> frowning roof tiles and ruble.</div> <div> They marked no occasion</div> <div> witnessed no ceremony</div> <div> But made a fitting shroud</div> <div> for Da Lat, the city of flowers.</div> <bR> <div> © 2000 by Pat Hewatt   <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Any print, copy or reproduction requires expressed written consent of the author</FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> _________________________________________________________________________</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="penni_evans"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >Penni Evans</FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="7554f550.jpg" border=0 width="79" height="85" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="3" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="533" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#9999CC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 21 WIDTH="525"><div> <B>FROZEN IN BRONZE</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Book Antiqua" > </FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 448 WIDTH="525"><div> Who are you, my sister</div> <div> I look into your eyes and see my soul</div> <div> You are frozen in bronze forever young</div> <div> What are your memories, your thoughts</div> <div> What words have been spoken for your ears only</div> <div> The secrets you hold in your heart are mine also</div> <bR> <div> Will your voice ever be heard</div> <div> Can the words locked so deep within</div> <div> Ever be free to drift on the wind</div> <div> Can the night of endless dark</div> <div> Ever become the dawn of a new day</div> <div> Will we as sisters ever heal</div> <div> From wounds suffered in silence a lifetime ago</div> <bR> <div> We were healers warriors and angels of truth</div> <div> No matter what clothes we wore</div> <div> Nor where we worked nor the time we served</div> <div> Our duties may have been varied</div> <div> But my sister we were all there together</div> <div> We can come visit you</div> <div> And in so doing</div> <div> We can visit the self we left behind</div> <bR> <div> So many years</div> <div> So many tears</div> <div> So many memories ago</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 74 ><NOBR><div> © 2000 by Penni Evans                                          <IMG SRC="3ec32450.jpg" border=0 width="50" height="69" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">      <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Book Antiqua" >Memorial, D.C. '93</FONT></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 15 ><NOBR><div> _______________________________________________________________________________________</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="525"><div> <B>SOUVENIRS</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 560 WIDTH="525"><div>                            Sometimes they were small items</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Pinned on jackets or hats</div> <div> Othertimes they were photographs</div> <div> Of those we once were</div> <bR> <div> At times they were items</div> <div> Captured on the field of battle</div> <div> or bought in the stalls of the abundant markets </div> <div> Or in the bars and clubs by Saigon warriors </div> <bR> <div>  Many times they were shipped home to be forgotten </div> <div> Where they remained in closets and footlockers </div> <div> Sometimes they were even hung proudly on walls</div> <div> Or displayed on a special shelf in the den </div> <bR> <div> But they also were the nighttime sweats</div> <div> The startled reactions and flashbacks</div> <div>  Brought home against our will</div> <div> They are the voices from the past</div> <bR> <div> They are the faces that never change </div> <div> Souvenirs brought home which are unwanted</div> <div> Uninvited they stay with us and are as important </div> <div>  As those tangible ones that came home in our luggage</div> <bR> <div> How to sort through and decide what to keep </div> <div>  What can be thrown away without guilt and pain </div> <div>  But flashbacks aren’t given the choice of being </div> <div> They just are and come without fanfare or warning </div> <bR> <div> Souvenirs of the soul we left behind</div> <div>  Lost in that time and place </div> <div> Yet staying with us in thoughts and actions</div> <div> Can they ever be cleaned and polished for display</div> <div>                                </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 15 WIDTH="525"><div> © 2000 by Penni Evans</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 15 ><NOBR><div> _______________________________________________________________________________________</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 21 WIDTH="525"><div> <B>TEARS</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><B> </B></FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 256 WIDTH="525"><bR> <div> Slowly they come</div> <div> But even more slowly they fall</div> <div> Not to stay long</div> <div> Not this time at all</div> <bR> <div> And yet they are here</div> <div> So deep within me</div> <div> The tears that I shed</div> <div> On the inside they fall</div> <bR> <div> The tears that I've held</div> <div> For so many years</div> <div> Will they release</div> <div> When I stand at the Wall</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 14 WIDTH="525"><div> © 2000 by Penni Evans</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 14 ><NOBR><div> _______________________________________________________________________________________</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="525"><div> <B>AMBUSHED </B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 288 WIDTH="525"><bR> <div> I call out</div> <div> My voice</div> <div> Caught in the </div> <div> Vortex of</div> <div> Inner space</div> <bR> <div> Asking Why</div> <bR> <div> Unending echoes</div> <div> Ricochet across</div> <div> My mind</div> <bR> <div> As Vietnam</div> <div> Once again</div> <div> Ambushes</div> <div> My soul</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 14 WIDTH="525"><div> © 2000 by Penni Evans</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 14 ><NOBR><div> _________________________________________________________________________________________</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="525"><div> <B>SILVER NAME</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 446 WIDTH="525"><bR> <div> Who are you</div> <div> Silver name</div> <div>  </div> <div> Etched on</div> <div> A band of steel </div> <bR> <div> Wrapped tightly</div> <div> Around the wrist</div> <bR> <div> Of those who</div> <div> Dare to care</div> <bR> <div> You are Uncle Sam's</div> <div> Missing children</div> <bR> <div> Gone all these years</div> <div> Still with us in memory</div> <bR> <div> As we search for you</div> <div> And your fate</div> <div> Amongst the maze</div> <div>  </div> <div> of bureaucracy and intrigue</div> <div> Silver name</div> <bR> <div> We remember!  </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 14 WIDTH="525"><div> © 2000 by Penni Evans</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 14 ><NOBR><div> _______________________________________________________________________________________</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="525"><div> <B>REMEMBER WHEN </B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 747 WIDTH="525"><bR> <div> Remember When </div> <div> You had stars in your eyes </div> <div> The world was yours </div> <div> Truth was noble </div> <div> Camelot ruled </div> <div> And you responded </div> <bR> <div> Remember When </div> <div> The stars became hazy </div> <div> The World was a year away </div> <div> Truth was trampled </div> <div> Chaos ruled </div> <div> And you fought just to survive </div> <bR> <div> Remember When </div> <div> Men took off their hats </div> <div> As the flag passed by </div> <div> Patriotism was quietly felt </div> <div> Government was of the people </div> <div> Honor was honored </div> <bR> <div> Remember When </div> <div> People remained sitting </div> <div> When the flag passed by </div> <div> Patriotism was only a yellow ribbon </div> <div> Alphabet soup was just soup </div> <div> Honor was dishonored </div> <bR> <div> Remember When </div> <div> You felt pride in America </div> <div> Brothers and sisters were siblings </div> <div> Honor was in yourself </div> <div> Trust was something you took for granted </div> <div> Love was dreamed about </div> <bR> <div> Remember when </div> <div> Pride remained but was tarnished </div> <div> Brothers and sisters were forged in war </div> <div> Honor remained but was torn and tattered </div> <div> Trust was blown away </div> <div> Love was only a dream </div> <bR> <div> Remember When? </div> <bR> <div> Yes.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 14 WIDTH="525"><div> © 2000 by Penni Evans</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="528" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#9999CC HEIGHT= 602 ><NOBR><div> <B> <A NAME="memories_of_vietnam"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>MEMORIES OF VIETNAM</B></div> <bR> <div> I was there to be life affirming</div> <div> In an arena that destroyed life</div> <div> I smiled</div> <div> I listened</div> <div> I tried to cheer and console the best I could</div> <div> My eyes became glazed over</div> <div> My heart encased and held tightly the tears</div> <div> I never cried</div> <div> I survived and lived and grew with a silent,</div> <div> stone cold secret called Vietnam</div> <div> I was there but I stayed silent</div> <div> I know there is a stone cold wall that would</div> <div> melt my heart if I approached it</div> <div> Twenty-five years of tightly held tears could</div> <div> not be silent anymore</div> <div> Another memorial is drawing me near to approach</div> <div> the wall of fear</div> <div> I believe in wholeness!</div> <div> The memory of the men who gave their lives</div> <div> piece by piece, body part by body part is a separate</div> <div> part of me.</div> <div> It's strange that the names of those men written</div> <div> on a wall and a statue placed near it could</div> <div> break that silence and give me back a part</div> <div> of myself that's steeled and sealed away</div> <div> It's right that these monuments are large and</div> <div> UNDENIABLE!</div> <bR> <div> Sara Haines</div> <div> RED CROSS SRAO  Vietnam 1967                                            <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="8544b360.jpg" border=0 width="75" height="54" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <bR> <div> © 2002 by Sara Haines</div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <embed src="HTMLobj-970/T10.mid" autostart="true" width="145" height="70">  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>