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.

Copyright © L. J. Carber | Year Posted 2016

allusionconflictlossremembersadrhyme

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March 15, 2022 at 11:11 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!

March 17, 2022 at 8:51 AM

Thanks Sam--much appreciated!

March 12, 2022 at 3:53 AM

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

March 12, 2022 at 10:43 AM

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

March 12, 2022 at 2:09 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

March 12, 2022 at 10:44 AM

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

February 10, 2020 at 11:11 PM

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

February 11, 2020 at 9:35 AM

Thanks Sam

Andrea Dietrich

March 19, 2019 at 7:40 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.

March 20, 2019 at 10:29 AM

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

July 15, 2018 at 9:06 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 Pigeon Tart

March 18, 2018 at 9:57 PM

Wow. Fave

March 19, 2018 at 9:22 AM

Thanks Maureen, much appreciated!

March 11, 2018 at 1:37 AM

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

March 11, 2018 at 10:53 AM

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

Carrie Richards

March 10, 2018 at 6:36 PM

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

March 11, 2018 at 10:52 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.

March 10, 2018 at 2:07 PM

Congratulation on your win! Hugs Eve ~`*

March 10, 2018 at 2:49 PM

Thank you, Eve

March 10, 2018 at 9:47 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.

March 10, 2018 at 2:51 PM

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

February 1, 2018 at 5:25 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

March 11, 2018 at 10:49 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

January 24, 2018 at 11:45 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

January 25, 2018 at 11:04 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.

September 19, 2017 at 8:25 PM

Thank you for sharing this beautiful and very touching poem.

September 20, 2017 at 8:43 AM

Thank you for your very kind words!

May 16, 2017 at 10:52 PM

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

May 18, 2017 at 10:22 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.

December 16, 2016 at 8:41 PM

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

December 17, 2016 at 1:17 PM

Thank you, Janice, I appreciate it.

Francis J Grasso

October 7, 2016 at 8:30 AM

Congratulations, Brian! ...Fran

October 7, 2016 at 9:40 AM

Thanks Fran!

Francis J Grasso

October 7, 2016 at 8:32 AM

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

October 7, 2016 at 6:20 AM

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

October 7, 2016 at 9:41 AM

Thank you, Jo

October 7, 2016 at 5:07 AM

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

October 7, 2016 at 9:42 AM

Thanks Teddy, I appreciate the kind words

Poet Destroyer A

September 18, 2016 at 1:46 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

September 18, 2016 at 3:40 PM

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

Beautiful Scars

September 2, 2016 at 8:12 PM

Len, congrats on your placement :)-luloo

September 3, 2016 at 10:27 AM

Thank you, Luloo!

September 1, 2016 at 8:02 AM

A somber contrast. Congratulations!

September 1, 2016 at 9:46 AM

Thanks Kim, I appreciate it.

September 1, 2016 at 7:27 AM

Congrats len, for your well, deserved first placement in the contest!! ;-)

September 1, 2016 at 9:46 AM

Thank you, Teddy

August 31, 2016 at 8:45 AM

Excellent win!!! Superb metaphor.

August 31, 2016 at 9:03 AM

Thanks Phil-- I actually had that thought of looking 'down' at the pockmarked moon when I took that flight in '74 out of Saigon.

Sunita U.D Palawon

August 30, 2016 at 9:20 AM

Congrats on your trophy win with this wonderful write. :) Sunita

August 31, 2016 at 9:03 AM

Thank you, Sunita

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