Home » Poems » L. J. Carber » Flying Over Vietnam, 1974

Flying Over Vietnam, 1974

I flew, a modern man in a steel bird, with all the arrogance of ancient Icarus, but my wings did not melt nor I swoon. I flew high, very, very high over Asian lands and homes, and below me, very, very far down where the bombs fell like the rains of hell... I saw the face of the moon.

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Sam Kauffman

Date: 3/15/2022 11:11:00 AM

LJ - back with congratulations on your win with this poem that puts us right there with you as you fly over Vietnam. So happy to see it receive another honor! Blessings to you!

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/17/2022 8:51:00 AM

Thanks Sam--much appreciated!

Beata Agustin

Date: 3/12/2022 3:53:00 AM

Congrats! Thanks for sharing this gem. God bless you.

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/12/2022 10:43:00 AM

Gracias mi amiga, y ve con Dios para siempre [i'm in a Spanish mood today]

Lonna Blodgett

Date: 3/12/2022 2:09:00 AM

What a descriptive journey that relates so well to the empathetic separation of human nature during times of great duress. I love the honesty and irony! Lonna

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/12/2022 10:44:00 AM

Thanks Lonna--this was one of those poems I wish I hadn't needed to write....

Sam Kauffman

Date: 2/10/2020 11:11:00 PM

LJ - Wonderful imagery in this poem that made me contemplate the consequences of war. Congrats and kudos!

L. J. Carber
Date: 2/11/2020 9:35:00 AM

Thanks Sam

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/19/2019 7:40:00 PM

This poem has become your BEST poem on the list for your poetry that is best! I was looking to see what it might be . Now let me find second one listed.

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/20/2019 10:29:00 AM

Thanks Andrea-- I hadn't known it was on that--or any list!

Robert Lindley

Date: 7/15/2018 9:06:00 AM

TRULY BRILLIANT AND IMPORTANT POETRY MY FRIEND! All war is hell on earth. The sad loss of life in that one was a modern tragedy, as it settled nothing and was never even fought to win. A fav my friend.. a shining gem of truth ..

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 3/18/2018 9:57:00 PM

Wow. Fave

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/19/2018 9:22:00 AM

Thanks Maureen, much appreciated!

Viv Wigley

Date: 3/11/2018 1:37:00 AM

Terrific write, such a small piece but hugely emotive, a fave for me. Thanks and congrats. Regards, Viv

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/11/2018 10:53:00 AM

Thanks Viv-- as always, your kind words are much appreciated.

Carrie Richards

Date: 3/10/2018 6:36:00 PM

As difficult a subject, the poem is beautifully written. I loved the simplicity of this one! Well done!

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/11/2018 10:52:00 AM

Thank you, Carrie-- and yes, I try to keep all my writing simple- I've come to believe that truth is simple and clear, like war, every war is an unrelenting tragedy.

Eve Roper

Date: 3/10/2018 2:07:00 PM

Congratulation on your win! Hugs Eve ~`*

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/10/2018 2:49:00 PM

Thank you, Eve

Line Gauthier

Date: 3/10/2018 9:47:00 AM

Your imagery was awesome and very reminiscent of the 70's. Thank you for entering my contest. Congrats on your very well deserved top win, L.J.

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/10/2018 2:51:00 PM

Thank you, Line, for the honor-- to paraphrase Dickens, the 70's were both heaven and hell for me.

CayCay Jennings

Date: 2/1/2018 5:25:00 AM

OK, Mr. Carber, I can read no more or I shall cry a thousand tears from the civil war to Vietnam, I shall cry. See my "Vietnam Victim" for this child's truly unforgettable moment. My Father was career military, retired a full Colonel. Came back from Vietnam in 1968 and died from agent orange in 1998. He was healthy in the in-between years. I will never understand mankind's need for wars. Never. I'm sorry for all you've seen. All the best ... CayCay

L. J. Carber
Date: 3/11/2018 10:49:00 AM

Forgive me CayCay, for not replying sooner-- I was sick most of last month and am just now getting back to normal, whatever that may be at my age. I am sorry to hear about your father, who sounds like a brave, good man. As I said in an earlier reply on this page, there seems to be something 'broken' in our human nature that makes us the only mammal to wage unlimited war on its own species.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/24/2018 11:45:00 PM

I had to come down here and see this trophy poem of yours. wow, it's amazing and I was not disappointed. A FAVE

L. J. Carber
Date: 1/25/2018 11:04:00 AM

Thank you, Andrea, I very much appreciate it. And I still wonder why America seems so quickly to forget the wars it wages-- perhaps because we are such a young country.

Line Gauthier

Date: 9/19/2017 8:25:00 PM

Thank you for sharing this beautiful and very touching poem.

L. J. Carber
Date: 9/20/2017 8:43:00 AM

Thank you for your very kind words!

Jeremy Smith

Date: 5/16/2017 10:52:00 PM

Even, though this made me feel sad. I, appreciate you sharing this intense moment of your life.

L. J. Carber
Date: 5/18/2017 10:22:00 AM

Thank you, Jeremy-- every war is such a waste, after 70 years I have come to the sad conclusion that there is something broken or missing in human nature that keeps us from learning this most basic lesson.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 12/16/2016 8:41:00 PM

A 7 for this very effective, WINNING piece, Len! Janice

L. J. Carber
Date: 12/17/2016 1:17:00 PM

Thank you, Janice, I appreciate it.

Francis J Grasso

Date: 10/7/2016 8:30:00 AM

Congratulations, Brian! ...Fran

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/7/2016 9:40:00 AM

Thanks Fran!

Francis J Grasso
Date: 10/7/2016 8:32:00 AM

Sorry Len! Congratulations on the win! ...Fran

Joanna Daniel

Date: 10/7/2016 6:20:00 AM

Congratulations on your win in Brian's contest, Len:) the contrast is well portrayed:)

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/7/2016 9:41:00 AM

Thank you, Jo

Teddy Kimathi

Date: 10/7/2016 5:07:00 AM

Congrats Ien, for your well, deserved top placement in the contest!!! ;-)

L. J. Carber
Date: 10/7/2016 9:42:00 AM

Thanks Teddy, I appreciate the kind words

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 9/18/2016 1:46:00 AM

Len, Congratulations on your sweet win. Thank you so much for the support. Stop by my blog "CERTIFYING OLD AGE (and a baby)" if you'd like. Always & Forever..... LINDA

L. J. Carber
Date: 9/18/2016 3:40:00 PM

Thank you, Linda-- as always, I feel honored