Reflections on Vietnam: Poetry and the Persistence of War 50 Years Later

The article reflects on the historical weight of the Vietnam War, drawing personal connections to its legacy. It discusses the ongoing appetite for war among political leaders today, highlighting parallels to past atrocities. Poetry is posited as a vital resistance tool against fascism and injustice, underscoring its power to foster understanding and healing amidst cycles of violence.

In reflecting on the history of Vietnam, I recall flying there 30 years ago and being transported back to a time when my family received the distressing news of my father’s injury at the hands of the Viet Cong. It was 1969; I was just a teenager caught in the whirlwind of schoolyard disputes over the Vietnam War, which, to me, felt entirely unjustified. From the outset, I sensed that the United States had strayed from a righteous path, wrestling with the age-old mythologies of conflict and the dubious doctrine of domino effects.

As our plane glided over Vietnam’s lush forests and glimmering rice paddies, scrambled together with the fragmented clouds below, I felt an uncanny sense of surrealism wash over me. I found myself aboard a bus, careening through verdant landscapes and past women clad in traditional conical hats. All around me, water buffaloes ambled about and ducks scuttled in a vivid, almost chaotic dance. The atmosphere was charged, and I could almost sense the ghosts of past conflicts lingering in the air.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon in 1975, a poignant moment not to be overlooked. We stand in a world where hawkish elements from both major parties—the Republican administration led by Trump and the Democrats—seem intent on perpetuating cycles of conflict. My Lai stands as a harrowing testament to brutality, and parallels are drawn to recent tragedies in Palestine, suggesting a distressing normalization of violence under the guise of war.

It is alarming to observe a bipartisan eagerness for military intervention against numerous countries, from China to Venezuela, even drifting toward absurd notions of invading neighboring nations like Canada or Mexico. Such rhetoric exemplifies a shocking embrace of imperialistic ideologies that echo the Monroe Doctrine but with a far more reckless urgency.

April is pivotal not just for its historical associations but also as National Poetry Month, a time when the power of spoken and written word can remind us of shared humanity. Indeed, in a world driven toward conflict, poetry becomes a form of resistance—an opportunity to reflect on the myriad injustices that surround us. Notably, figures like Elon Musk inject technological advancements into this volatile mix, further entrenching a societal landscape that must be challenged.

On April 9, former Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford graced my radio show. Our conversation flowed around themes of warfare and politics, culminating in his reading of a poignant poem about Gaza, which captures the stark realities of sorrow
and resilience amid despair.

My involvement with Vietnam stemmed from a biodiversity research project where I served—as both journalist and logistics coordinator. The months spent traversing bat caves and dense forests revealed much more than ecological diversity; they interwove personal narratives of loss that America has largely ignored. Disturbing statistics loom large, with millions of lives lost and countless ecosystems damaged by aggressive military tactics during the war.

Moreover, the tragic legacy of chemical warfare, most notably dioxin from herbicides, continues to haunt new generations, marking the U.S.’s introduction of the term “ecocide” into the global conversation. Our military actions have inflicted profound and lasting damage.

Echoing the powerful reflections from poet Yusef Komunyakaa, who captures haunting imagery around war, one must consider how we navigate the aftermath of conflict. His work reflects the complexities of memory and the remnants of violence, revealing that these shadows are still a part of us. Kim Stafford, a dedicated educator and anti-war advocate for decades, also illuminates existing concerns of our times through the lens of poetry.

Poetry serves as a means to confront dark moments and embed hope within despair. As we gather along our beautiful coastlines, searching for beauty amidst wreckage, I feel hopeful that these gestures—be they through nature or poetic expression—can remind us of our shared responsibility. Amidst all, we are called to speak against fascism, nurture healing, and mend the wounds of conflict, through compassion and creativity.

In conclusion, the reflections on Vietnam and the broader context of war echo deeply within us, revealing a cyclical nature of conflict that persists across generations. As we commemorate significant anniversaries, it is crucial to remember the human cost of warfare and the vital role poetry plays in resisting the urge toward violence. With voices like those of Kim Stafford and Yusef Komunyakaa, we are reminded that the written word can provide solace and provoke necessary conversations against the backdrop of ongoing strife. It is through these acts of remembrance and creativity that we may find a way forward while heeding the lessons of our past.

Original Source: www.thenewsguard.com