Suribachi
Suribachi
At the base of Suribachi
Within reach of the beach,
The mountain towers as I shrink
Into guts of hate,—malignant:
With a rifle and bayonet, and grenades
And murdering hands
To choke the existence
Out of living things.
They all looked the same to me;
Refusing to quit,
Hating more than me
If that’s possible to believe.
I loathed the air to breathe.
My lips spewed spit.
I swore I would survive
Executing orders efficiently.
I question humanity, my sanity,
Victory VJ Day;
(I feel weak on my feet,—unsteady)
On that day I felt strong,—brave.
So why do I return?
The memories are unpleasant.
My conscience unmanageable,
My soul unreprieved.
The flag appears smaller
And the mountain lower
On this waterless sulfur island
In the middle of nowhere,
And the beach desolate
With no one running for cover.
My heart died on Iwo Jima.
My body alive to tell the story.
***
Notes:
1) Battle of Iwo Jima: The 'Battle of Iwo Jima' took place between the combined American forces of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), and the United States Navy (USN) against the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) during World War II (1939-1945) from February 19, 1945 to March 26, 1945. The Americans were victorious; (VJ Day: Victory Japan).
2) Casualties: U.S.A. 6,821 dead, 19,217 wounded; Japanese 17,845 to 18,375 dead and/or missing, 216 taken prisoner. and 3,000 in hiding.
3) The memorial is to the flag raising during Battle of Iwo Jima on top of Mount. Suribachi. It reads:
"Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."—Nimitz.
Dedicated to those who fought here by the Island Command AGF. Erected by the 31st USNCB. Old Glory was raised on this site 23 February 1945 by members of the Second Battalion, 28th Regiment, Fifth Marine Division.
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