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Dien Bien Phu

Lessons learned
by first the Chinese
then France
and the Unites States...

Never underestimate
unconventional units
or guerrilla warfare
supported by regular units...

Dien Bien Phu
Bernard B. Fall
called it
"Hell in a very small place"
soon after 1954
America walked the "Street without joy"

The Viet Minh
attacking satellite positions
seven in all
such names as

"Huguette"
"Claudine"
"Gabrielle"
"Beatrice"

General Giap
former school teacher
later besieged Khe Sanh
saved only by B-52 air strikes...

What men will die for
makes less sense
as time goes by...

Perhaps it is
the unspoken honor
among comrades
and brothers...

Still they soldiered on
60 years has passed
and around the world
the madness has grown...
~ ~ ~ ~

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Justin Bordner

Date: 5/27/2014 7:23:00 PM

I admire the historical context of this moralistic poem Ken, it has great import for the Ages. When men and women believe they have a Right to kill, and a noble face for Death then the beauty and barbarity of war shall always march on in vibrant Nature. What men and women "Vote" for makes even less then warefare in my opinion. Thanks for using poetry to communicate history and metaphysics Ken. J.A.B.

Ken Carroll
Date: 5/27/2014 8:11:00 PM

Thank you Justin for stopping by today!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/25/2014 12:24:00 AM

The ending of this is so powerful in its message: they soldiered on.... and around the world the madness has grown. So sadly true!!

Ken Carroll
Date: 5/25/2014 12:37:00 AM

It sure has..Thanks for the visit Andrea!

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 5/22/2014 9:01:00 AM

Ken, thank you for the comment on my comment

Poet Destroyer A
Date: 5/22/2014 9:08:00 AM

lol, OK, thank you again for commenting my comment

Ken Carroll
Date: 5/22/2014 9:07:00 AM

Always my pleasure Linda..

Sara Kendrick

Date: 5/22/2014 8:47:00 AM

Yes, battles great and small still go on around the world..It is sad that we can't just all work at peace instead of killing someone..I am glad that I chose this one to read today..Thanks for the visit to my page..Sara

Ken Carroll
Date: 5/22/2014 9:07:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by Sara!