L. J. Carber | + Follow Poet |
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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! Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 .. Login to Reply

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 3/18/2018 9:57:00 PM Wow. Fave Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 ~`* Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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:) Login to Reply 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!!! ;-) Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 9/18/2016 3:40:00 PM Thank you, Linda-- as always, I feel honored

Beautiful Scars Date: 9/2/2016 8:12:00 PM Len, congrats on your placement :)-luloo Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 9/3/2016 10:27:00 AM Thank you, Luloo!

Kim Rodrigues Date: 9/1/2016 8:02:00 AM A somber contrast. Congratulations! Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 9/1/2016 9:46:00 AM Thanks Kim, I appreciate it.

Teddy Kimathi Date: 9/1/2016 7:27:00 AM Congrats len, for your well, deserved first placement in the contest!! ;-) Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 9/1/2016 9:46:00 AM Thank you, Teddy

Phil Capitano Date: 8/31/2016 8:45:00 AM Excellent win!!! Superb metaphor. Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 8/31/2016 9:03:00 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 Date: 8/30/2016 9:20:00 AM Congrats on your trophy win with this wonderful write. :) Sunita Login to Reply L. J. Carber Date: 8/31/2016 9:03:00 AM Thank you, Sunita

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